By Guilherme Cruz

Photo DSE

After the site Sherdog.com called several fighters to analyze the fight between Maurício "Shogun" and Chuck Liddell, giving Liddell the major picks for a victory, we went after some words of Brazilian fighters, who analyzed the UFC 97 co-main event, which takes place tomorrow at Montreal, Canada. Check below the opinions of the fighters.

Demian Maia: "I don’t know about Chuck, how is his preparation, but I think that Shogun is very talented and, well trained, it’s hard to beat him"

Lyoto Machida: "In my opinion, Shogun and Liddell is one of the toughest fights of the night. Obviously I'm cheering for Shogun, I’ve trained with him at the Chute Boxe and he is a great person, but I believe it will be a very strategic fight. If Liddell keep the fight standing, he will have advantages, but if Shogun take him to the ground, he wins. I would say that’s 50% for each"

Ricardo Arona: "In MMA, each fight is a surprise. As a friend of mine once said, Shogun is more complete than Liddell in terms of ground, moving, but Chuck Liddell is a very tough guy, very experienced. Finally, I can’t say who will be the best, I think the two must be well prepared, Shogun can no longer die in the gas and Liddell will need to drop the game a bit, because he always does the same game, that works, but is very predictable. Anyone can fall, for sure"

Murilo “Ninja”: "It will be a tough fight. Liddell hits hard, but I think my brother will be ready. He knows what to do. My brother is a versatile guy, both on the ground and standing. He has everything to beat Liddell"

Danillo Villefort: "Really good fight to watch. I think, if the fight doesn’t end at the 1st round, Chuck will take great advantage in the gas. At least that is what I think. I can’t speak with much certainty because I didn’t saw Shogun training. Liddell is very well trained, the guy is flying"

Luiz Alves: "This fight is a dangerous fight to Shogun, he came out of rhythm, but I bet in Shogun's victory, since he is well physically. Shogun is more complete than Liddell and I trust him. He is much better standing and on the floor, but have to see how the physical part will be. Lets cheer for him to be well physically"

Vitor Belfort: "I think that, if Shogun comes as he used to fight at Pride, he'll take this fight and retire Chuck Liddell. If it were by submission would be nice, but Shogun is a complete fighter and many things can happen"

Wanderlei Silva: “If Shogun shows up life everybody knows, he’ll demolish Chuck Liddell, just like he did against Quinton Jackson at Pride. He beated everybody there, one after the another, Overeem, Arona, everybody. If he comes back in that shape, he’ll shock the world. If he didn’t prepared himself well, it’s more dangerous, because Liddell is tall, punches hard, the glove is small and you have to be careful with the defense, because Shogun’s style is go on top of the guy and the other’s is to fight on the counter punching”

Paulo Borracha: "Shogun felt the time away in the fight against Coleman, he felt the gas and had no rhythm, but it has already spent four months and he should have increased the rhythm. If he comes in Shogun’s rhythm that was in Pride, he will have volume, gas and is more versatile than Liddell, who is in a bad phase. For the versatility he has, I believe more in him, as Liddell is fighting and hasn’t been well presented. I believe that Shogun will win. They’re two guys of strong hit and, despite Shogun has a very good ground, I believe more in Shogun’s hit and, if it has to finish earlier, will be in striking, by knockout"

Márcio Cromado: "From what I’m seeing of Shogun, he will be different from the fight against Coleman. So judging him by the Coleman fight and, in that fight, he hadn’t have a corner of respect, but in this one he is well advised and is working hard with cardio, and Cunha is by his side, a lot will change. I’m cheering for Brazil, I think that Shogun gets it. He is younger, has more heart and I hope he gets the chance to knockout Chuck Liddell"

Carlão Barreto: "It’s a big fight. There are two analysis: if Shogun is well trained, physically in bullet point, he runs over with his youth, even because Chuck is in a downward phase and isn’t as dangerous as in the past. He was a great fighter and deserves respect, but, it he’s focused, Shogun runs over. But, if he is the Shogun of the fight against Coleman, Liddell will win, because he is experienced and knows the ways of the octagon. But I trust in his game and Shogun will win for sure"

Paulo Thiago: “I think Shogun is more versatile, but he was coming from a knee surgery and didn’t do a good fight against Coleman. I’m cheering for him. He has more tools than Liddell, works better on the ground and standing. Liddell is a great guy, but Shogun takes it. I bet Shogun gets him on the ground”

Murilo Bustamante: “It’ll be a tough fight. I spoke with Sergio Cunha and Murilo Ninja. I already fought with Liddell and I know how it is. I’m cheering for Shogun and I hope he wins by knockout”