GAV
05-31-2009, 01:20 PM
With the draft just a few days away for the 360 league - and with it probably in the near future for the Ps3 league as well - I thought I would start off some discussion about the fighters. Most players are still in the process of trying out all the fighters. The question you want to ask yourself first - is will you draft for style or rating?
First, try out a few different fighters with different styles. If you do as well with one style as another, go for rating. If not, you may want to reach a bit to get who you want.
Sometimes, ratings can be decieving though. Early on, I chose Andre Arlovski over Tim Sylvia (both rated 88 OVR) because he's better on the ground - but after repeated beatdowns and realizing that Sylvia's reach, size, and high defense makes it nearly impossible for Arlovski to get him down - I concede that it is just a poor matchup for Arlovski. His speed is a plus, but a patient Silvia will almost always rip him up. Another case is in comparing the 93 rated Rashad Evans to the 91 rated Quentin "Rampage" Jackson. Shad is the quicker fighter, but Rampage can end a fight in seconds if he can clinch. Shad is rated higher, but he isn't better than Rampage - unless he can avoid the clinch. Another slept on fighter is Brock Lesnar. His skill stats aren't tremendous, but his physical stats make up for it. His takedowns are nearly unavoidable - and he can't be taken down. Just mash out of submissions with him and he's a top fighter, despite only being rated 88 OVR. Another intriguing fighter is Roger Huerta. He has heavy kicks, long reach, and great takedown defense - so a smart Huerta is very difficult to take down. His ground skills are lacking, other than his high ground strike rating, but he has a major advantage over higher rated lightweights - like BJ Penn and Kenny Florian - in the standup because he outranges and outspeeds them - plus he has a high takedown defense. Huerta is only an 89, while BJ is a 93 - and Ken-Flow is a 92, but a smart Huerta can control the fight standing. Another solid 89 lightweight is Matt Serra. His stats aren't overwhelming anywhere, and he's a migdet - but he is a very large lightweight - meaning his takedowns have alot of priority. He can keep it standing - or take it to the ground - allowing him to exploit a fighter's weakest area. He just seems to muscle his way through. Similarly, Sean Sherk can take it to the ground anytime he wants. Also, his high cardio gives him an iron chin. With Sean Sherk, if the fight is anywhere close - he gains a health bar advantage round by round - simply because he's nearly impossible to hurt.
Also, don't forget about "special moves." The best special move in the game belongs to Anderson Silva. Any punch he catches puts him in his Muay Thai clinch, which is absolutely ridiculous. A few other notables is Big Nog's judo takedown, Chuck Liddell's overhand right, BJ's swaying hooks, Forest's catch-kick overhand, Matt Hughes' sprawl slam, GSP's clinch takedowns, Tito's single leg takedowns, Wanderlei Silva's special Thai clinch, Rashad Evans' right head kick, Michael Bisping's head kicks, Mir's boxing hooks, and there are alot more. Just remember that these special moves replace the styles' existing moves, so be aware of them. Although most are better than the existing moves, sometimes they can be easily countered - or they are difficult to counter, but countering them correctly can end the match quickly.
First, try out a few different fighters with different styles. If you do as well with one style as another, go for rating. If not, you may want to reach a bit to get who you want.
Sometimes, ratings can be decieving though. Early on, I chose Andre Arlovski over Tim Sylvia (both rated 88 OVR) because he's better on the ground - but after repeated beatdowns and realizing that Sylvia's reach, size, and high defense makes it nearly impossible for Arlovski to get him down - I concede that it is just a poor matchup for Arlovski. His speed is a plus, but a patient Silvia will almost always rip him up. Another case is in comparing the 93 rated Rashad Evans to the 91 rated Quentin "Rampage" Jackson. Shad is the quicker fighter, but Rampage can end a fight in seconds if he can clinch. Shad is rated higher, but he isn't better than Rampage - unless he can avoid the clinch. Another slept on fighter is Brock Lesnar. His skill stats aren't tremendous, but his physical stats make up for it. His takedowns are nearly unavoidable - and he can't be taken down. Just mash out of submissions with him and he's a top fighter, despite only being rated 88 OVR. Another intriguing fighter is Roger Huerta. He has heavy kicks, long reach, and great takedown defense - so a smart Huerta is very difficult to take down. His ground skills are lacking, other than his high ground strike rating, but he has a major advantage over higher rated lightweights - like BJ Penn and Kenny Florian - in the standup because he outranges and outspeeds them - plus he has a high takedown defense. Huerta is only an 89, while BJ is a 93 - and Ken-Flow is a 92, but a smart Huerta can control the fight standing. Another solid 89 lightweight is Matt Serra. His stats aren't overwhelming anywhere, and he's a migdet - but he is a very large lightweight - meaning his takedowns have alot of priority. He can keep it standing - or take it to the ground - allowing him to exploit a fighter's weakest area. He just seems to muscle his way through. Similarly, Sean Sherk can take it to the ground anytime he wants. Also, his high cardio gives him an iron chin. With Sean Sherk, if the fight is anywhere close - he gains a health bar advantage round by round - simply because he's nearly impossible to hurt.
Also, don't forget about "special moves." The best special move in the game belongs to Anderson Silva. Any punch he catches puts him in his Muay Thai clinch, which is absolutely ridiculous. A few other notables is Big Nog's judo takedown, Chuck Liddell's overhand right, BJ's swaying hooks, Forest's catch-kick overhand, Matt Hughes' sprawl slam, GSP's clinch takedowns, Tito's single leg takedowns, Wanderlei Silva's special Thai clinch, Rashad Evans' right head kick, Michael Bisping's head kicks, Mir's boxing hooks, and there are alot more. Just remember that these special moves replace the styles' existing moves, so be aware of them. Although most are better than the existing moves, sometimes they can be easily countered - or they are difficult to counter, but countering them correctly can end the match quickly.