Official Mixed Martial Arts Thread

[4ndo]

So is this russian kebab shop guy gonna be like a GGG type guy were people run for the hills and make up stories? Is it even remotely possible to duck in MMA for as long as boxers do? Thats one thing about McGregor he doesn't really have people in fear of him or the mistique GGG has in boxing. Or do you think if MMA was run like boxing that McGregor would be getting ducked a bit?

 

 

[schmojo]

GGG has the opposite problem to MacGregor.

 

People want to fight MacGregor because, win or lose, it's the biggest payday and the most publicity in the sport.

 

The perception with GGG is that he's too dangerous and not enough of a draw to risk losing to him.

[Doomguy]

I think @4ndo is on about Kabib?

 

Mcgregor has already said he doesn't want to fight Kabib as he's pulled out of a fair few fights - which is true - Think it's 7, right? Thing is, he's also 24-0 and ragdolls people so I wouldn't want to fight him either. He'd grind conor down for 5 rounds in a boring decision which would be a lose, lose situation for everyone; Kabib has backed child fighting so he's not exactly marketable. 

 

Conor has all the cards now anyway. The new UFC is broke as fuck but have to pay him;there's no way around it. Then he can pick a rematch with Aldo and a rematch with Nate to defend his belts. Both make good bank and sense. 

 

 

[schmojo]

Oh yeah, I was just replying to the last bit.

 

In terms of him being a Soviet destroyer who has little to offer except a brutal humbling? Yep, Khabib and GGG are on a similar page.

[angel]

Im coming round a bit to Conors chances against him over the last few days, rewatching how much Johnson was able to tag him...meaning Conor can definitely do the same and more.

 

But yeah, it's gona be Khabib v Ferguson and Conor v Diaz in spring I reckon.

[Kebabilicious]

So last night, I was re-watching 205 and something dawned on me about Tate. 

Now, call me crazy, but Rousey is fighting in December, right? So let's say she doesn't win. I think she'd retire, and that seems to be the general consensus.

 

Now, if she wins......do we, just maybe, see another Rousey v Tate? Both of them are close to done with the sport (Tate already apprently), and given that it was their rivalry that really helped cement Rhonda as a superstar, can we see it again? I think Tate would come back for one more go at Rhonda.

What a way for either of the two of them to retire. 

Are we being WWE'd?

[angel]

That's what I think, Tate Rousey next year to shore up the Conor time off. I think Rousey is pulling a serious throwing of her toys out of the pram, first losing the belt and now losing her superstar status (compared to Conor). I mean how many chat shows is Gina Carano on these days? Ronda is going to soon realise how quickly she's yesterday's news when she quits.

[Tofu]

All I want is Khabib vs Connor.

[Kingpin]

I never understood the whole "Rousey goes to Hollywood" thing - she's not even very natural in her interviews. It's UFC money or bust for her - I'm with angel on this one. I suspect she'll have her monster babies with Travis and that's the end of it.  A big double comeback fight with her and Tate would be the best thing for both of them, and then both should call it a career.

 

I was listening to a podcast that put forward this idea and now I really want to see it: Aldo has been saying that he wants a Conor rematch at any weight - he has talked about moving up a weight class for years. He needs to move up and take out a name to get his shot at McGregor. Who should he fight? Khabib is who. Aldo has had some of the best TDD for years - I wonder if he could hold off Khabib? Aldo would be the biggest name Khabib has ever fought too. I think it makes sense for both and would love to see it.

 

However, I honestly expect Aldo to continue moaning about how CMcG is dodging him, stay at 145 and be the "interim" champ until the end of his career (until he fights Holloway perhaps). I think Khabib will end up in contract dispute hell with the UFC as I can't see him getting the next shot.

[angel]

The thing with Rousey is her angry persona used to come out every so often, but now it's a constant. Permanent sour face of entitlement, when she's in a position of privilege and getting paid well for it. Just speaking for myself and what I've read elsewhere, I don't think that sits all that well with fans any more. She's quite coarse, arrogant but without the humour, she trains at a gym that's pretty universally considered one of the worst in MMA (Glendale), headed by that nitwit Armin Tamzarian. She dates Travis Browne, another famous whinger who's currently being de-trained at Glendale too, he was doing well until Taverdian got hold of him, removed his kicking game and messed up his boxing / gameplans. I still think she'll win in December, but I think she surrounds herself with too many bad people, and tries to thrive on negativity, with her perma-slapped face. Sure, plenty of cod psychology here but I don't think any of it is far wrong.

[glb]

Bit late, but a few thoughts on 205.

 

The Good

Woodley Vs Wonderboy lit MSG up! Man alive, utter disbelief after the 4th round, incredible heart from Wonderboy. Loved watching him before 205, even more so now. Watched a replay since, because the post-fight was chaotic in the arena (Rogan's mic audio wasn't great) and feel for Woodley. He looked like his soul had been ripped out after the re-announcement; guess he prepped himself for the worst and had nothing left to even show relief even though he retained.

Conor's match was dreamlike. Even a bit anti-climatic because he made the extraordinary look so easy. Felt bad for Alvarez, he just wasn't even in the building.

Johnson fighting with all his power to stand up and Khabib just throwing him down against the fence and resuming Operation Smotherload. My god. Beast.

Thought KK was a bit too nice for JJ, but so happy to be wrong and see her go the distance. Certainly won the crowd over and made a name for herself, which is the best result in the face of a defeat.

 

The Bad

Only real disappointment was the atmosphere. The Garden is a fabled arena, but it didn't come alive until Wonderboy's heroics. Wasn't completely flat before that but still strangely muted. Appreciate that the majority were there for Conor but there won't be a better card for a long, long time, so was a bit of a shame to see things only pick up for the final couple of fights. We had a blast though, good bunch around us, including a couple of Edgar fans, who were good value, and pretty much everyone bar the 3 Alvarez fans a few rows down looked happy when the lights went up.

 

Overall, so happy to have finally made it to an event. TV coverage of fights is exceptional these days but still can't quite fully get over the speed and power of these athletes. We walked into the chilly Manhattan air with grins on our faces as "oles" rang around the Garden.

[schmojo]

2 hours ago, Kingpin said:

Aldo has been saying that he wants a Conor rematch at any weight - he has talked about moving up a weight class for years. He needs to move up and take out a name to get his shot at McGregor. Who should he fight? Khabib is who. Aldo has had some of the best TDD for years - I wonder if he could hold off Khabib? Aldo would be the biggest name Khabib has ever fought too. I think it makes sense for both and would love to see it.

 

This is a total waste for me. There are plenty of other excellent LW contenders that Aldo could take on without damaging the mystique of either him or Khabib.

 

When they need to build stars, killing legitimate contenders off against each other just because Conor doesn't like defending belts, isn't great for future business. Not to mention that Aldo's long-awaited 155 debut could be aggressively smothered by the nastiest grappler going.

 

If Aldo's going to come up to LW, I'd like to see him take on someone a little lower down the foodchain, but with the potential for a barnburner - Edson Barboza.

[Doomguy]

5 hours ago, angel said:

The thing with Rousey is her angry persona used to come out every so often, but now it's a constant. Permanent sour face of entitlement, when she's in a position of privilege and getting paid well for it. Just speaking for myself and what I've read elsewhere, I don't think that sits all that well with fans any more. She's quite coarse, arrogant but without the humour, she trains at a gym that's pretty universally considered one of the worst in MMA (Glendale), headed by that nitwit Armin Tamzarian. She dates Travis Browne, another famous whinger who's currently being de-trained at Glendale too, he was doing well until Taverdian got hold of him, removed his kicking game and messed up his boxing / gameplans. I still think she'll win in December, but I think she surrounds herself with too many bad people, and tries to thrive on negativity, with her perma-slapped face. Sure, plenty of cod psychology here but I don't think any of it is far wrong.

 

That is the perfect way to describe what Tarverdyan has done. Browne was 7-1 and in title contention at Jacksons, and since moving to train with Tarverdyan he's 2-3. WTF. 

[Tofu]

 She's going to run into the same problems that BJ had. Camp of useless yes men, and BJ banged his head against the wall coming up with new ways to lose, instead of switching camps and trying something known to work. Definition of insanity, both for BJ and Ronda.

 

Oh well, it was good for her while it lasted.

[Orion]

I think she beats Nunes tbh. Nunes likes to steam straight ahead with her stand up and she has been been beat up on the ground by Cat Zingano before. I see her getting thrown on her head early and arm barred.

 

Huge worries about about where Ronda's head is at though. I've never seen a fighter handle a loss as bad as Ronda since Naseem Hamed. I do think Amanda Nunes style is still made for her to look good though.

 

[schmojo]

Oh yeah - Ronda's' judo has to be so ingrained in her that it's lethal even after all of this. A bad match for Nunes.

 

I think I hope she comes back better than ever. She seems to be a wreck right about now, but there are certainly questions to be answered.

[Doomguy]

 

 

 

So Romero now has a translator who looks like the baddie from Karate Kid - He's become the ultimate heel!

 

Even though he's a blatant cheater, I want to see the Bisping fight ASAP.

[Doomguy]

Extended preview DC vs Rumble.

 

 

[Yobo Ahoy]

Still catching up on the actual fights last night but read up on Bellator as it hasn't been shown yet - they've only bloody announced Fedor vs Mitrione in February! God damn I love Scott Coker.

[angel]

Poor old pearson cant catch a break, his opponent was a bit cheeky after and went on and on for days. I think Bisping tkos Romero next (too reliant on hail marys, ironically) then fights moose.

[schmojo]

You've got some real faith in Mike there. Romero has more ways to beat Bisping than vice versa. I have to assume that (if the fight is made), Romero either retires Bisping (and he's already started the talk himself), or actually murders him.

 

Glad to see Mousasi picking up some steam again, though I'd need to see this surging Gegard against a Rockhold, Romero or Weidman to see where he fits in the division. At the moment he seems like the best of the non-elite.

 

I haven't seen the full Bendo fight yet, but Dana's gotta be smiling a bit about his Bellator record.

 

There was a time when Fedor/Mitrione would've been a classic can fight, but it's gotta be a 50/50 at this point. One of the most winnable 'name' fights for Fedor though.

 

 

[angel]

I do tbh, I think mike's seen his sort before..wrestler with KO power, and mike outworks him by such a degree its criminal.  I can see romero fading into the championship rounds and mike taking him to a UD or TKO.

 

Could be miles off, but I think mikes delighted to be facing him over weidman, a lot of it being down to the difference in volume output.

[Orion]

I can see Bisping going a few rounds up then getting put to sleep by a highlight reel KO. Romero is a cheating dickhead but he has insane power. Can't see Bisping being able to stay away from it for 5 rounds.

 

I'm enjoying Mousasi march up the rankings. Plus showing a ton more personality in interviews.

[schmojo]

4 hours ago, angel said:

I do tbh, I think mike's seen his sort before..wrestler with KO power, and mike outworks him by such a degree its criminal. 

 

 

I can't really think of any examples of what you're talking about. Did you see the Tim Kennedy fight? And Romero's wrestling (and KO power) are seemingly on another planet from Kennedy these days. Nobody looks more dangerous than Romero at 185 right now, except maybe Jacare. It's close.

 

Evans, Kennedy, Hamill... Bisping doesn't do well against wrestlers. Though I do think he was robbed of the Chael fight.

[ckny]

The Chael fight was a complete robbery. Although had he won he'd have faced prime Anderson so it was probably for the best that he lost.

[Doomguy]

2 hours ago, schmojo said:

You've got some real faith in Mike there. Romero has more ways to beat Bisping than vice versa. I have to assume that (if the fight is made), Romero either retires Bisping (and he's already started the talk himself), or actually murders him.

 

 

I've been watching Romeros old fights. The guy is like a genetic experiment gone right. 

 

Wrestling is the scariest part of his game and he's used it once just to show up weidman. 

 

I mean, have you ever seen a 200lb bloke get man handled like this?

 

 

 

 

 

[angel]

4 hours ago, schmojo said:

 

I can't really think of any examples of what you're talking about. Did you see the Tim Kennedy fight? And Romero's wrestling (and KO power) are seemingly on another planet from Kennedy these days. Nobody looks more dangerous than Romero at 185 right now, except maybe Jacare. It's close.

 

Evans, Kennedy, Hamill... Bisping doesn't do well against wrestlers. Though I do think he was robbed of the Chael fight.

 

I did see Kennedy, that was a disaster for mike obviously. I think that's when he decided enough was enough and shored up his game a bit. I think the division had a bit of a reputation of being full of killers that's been proven slightly false lately, I think the top contenders are all quite near each other, and anyone could win on a given day. I used to think Rockhold was the top dog, his air of invincibility has gone. Weidman has lost twice now, and had a fair bit of bother with Machida and non-TRT Belfort. Jacare and Romero are good, just Romero seems to have long peroids of inactivity. Mike survived Hendos bombs and won (took some damage but a definite win in my book), I think he might drag Romero into deep 5 round waters and could well beat him.

 

I'm not totally disagreeing, I just think he has a good chance, and out of all the contenders he'd prefer Romero.

[angel]

fedor meets mitrione

 

 

[Kebabilicious]

Did anyone watch the UFC Belfast event? Bloody smashing fights. Scottish Stevie Ray looked fluid and dynamic after defeating former Ultimate Fighter winner Ross Pearson. Was a brilliant fight. Ray is only 26, so whilst he isn't likely to improve so much that he's a top fighter, I could easily see him becoming a Pearson-like fighter. I reliable test for the younger blood withthe potential to upset another gatekeeper. 

Lobov looked amazing, making Ishihara look stupid at times. The fact McGregor was ringside, I'm sure helped morale.

The fight of Volkov v Johnson was a bit of a war. It was so back and forth that not only was it very entertaining, I actually couldn't pick who'd won. There was a lot of hype surrounding Volkov, but if truth be told, I didn't see the hype. He looked like the kind of fighter we will see two or three times more, but I don't think he'll be around long. He just did not look like he could compete with the elite heavyweights. Not even close.

 

The headline was a bit of an anti-climax with Moussai finishing Hall early in the 1st round. Tell me this, though. What is it with Hall? He either looks like an amateur, or like a world beater.

Watching someone like Uriah Hall helps put things in perspective with McGreggor, actually. Hall has oodles of athleticism, power, creativity and a decent enough chin. That said, he just cannot seem to get himself to 'turn up' every fight. Having the attributes is one thing, but you need to attributes and the mindset together at all times, running seamlessly. THAT is what people don't understand about Conor. He doesn't have an off night because his mental game is as strong, if not stronger than his physical game.  

[Kebabilicious]

Also, Re: Bisping v Romero

I think you're all being awfully tough on ole' Bisping. The guy has Cardio for days (something Romero has been questioned about before) and he will just refuse to grapple with him. 

I think it's entirely possible that Romero grapple-fucks Bisping and makes him his little bitch, but i don't think it's likely. 

Bisping by descision is where i'd put my money if I were a betting man. His experience, his calm under atack, his cardio, I think he has this. I think it'll be a fairly similar fight to Hendo, to be honest. Neither fighter will dominate.