Official Mixed Martial Arts Thread

[angel]

Nicks view is that it's a street fight that happens to be in a cage, as in if it never ended and wasnt regulated, who would eventually go on to win it. That's why he believes he wins all of his fights. It's one way to look at it, and he's not unintelligent, but he's also on a different planet. He knows there's a ref, he knows what he's being judged on (activity, control etc) yet he still fannies about, loses 50-45 then claims he won.

 

He's a weird one, hes actually really articulate, he sounds nothing like as punchy as Nate does, and quite a smart bloke. He could be a huge draw, but his pitty patty style just doesn't wash these days. Like schmojo says, entertaining, but never in any danger of landing a KO or sub on the likes of a past his best Silva.

[Yobo Ahoy]

I always thought he was lucky to get his first title shot (lost against Condit for the interim belt, popped for weed and still gets a shot at the big belt less than a year later) so really he needs to suck it up and get to work. Lawler is probably the best matchup he could hope for, he's not going to dodge him and if Nick wins that it strengthens his case infinitely.

 

I'm glad people aren't really swallowing the Diaz's bullshit anymore.

[Gotters]

Nick Diaz has no rights to anything other than respect as a pioneer in the sport - even Dana White knows your sport loses all credibility if you walk him back into a title shot with his inactivity and coming off 3 straight losses (whether he recognises them or not).

 

UFC problem though is they've got no marquee 1m plus PPV cards lined up in first half of next year with Ronda now busted and Conor taking a rest, there are lots of interesting fights for us in here but nothing that will crossover and capture the wider public.

 

Conor's stock rises with every card now that is lined up and announced.

 

 

 

 

[glb]

Wondering what the biggest fight they could make for the next few months? By March so many belts will have gone several months (or more) without a defense that there's potentially a dozen different title fights that could be made, and while there are some really interesting match-ups, as Gotters said not a huge amount in the way of crossover appeal.

 

Guess we'll get a mish-mash of titles, interim belts and Cowboy fighting at every single card.

[Doomguy]

The best fights in the next few months are on fox;

 

Gastelum vs Vitor Belfort

Dos Santos vs Struve 

 

That's it beside Holm vs Randamie until April.

 

Oh and Overeem vs Hunt on a card that looks completely barren.

[glb]

Must be saving Bisping for the O2 Fight Night in March.

[Doomguy]

Bisping vs Romero. Though would they want to stage that massacre in the UK?

[angel]

I still say mike has a chance, and not just a punchers chance. 50/50 in my book, Romero is inconsistent, lazy and bonkers.

[schmojo]

If you get any more confident in the run up to the match, I'd be happy to throw some cash in on that. Maybe even give you good odds.

 

Romero's got late finishes all day long. He's never been beyond Rd 3 (and I think he lost to Jacare), but he's so much to handle. That glimpse of his wrestling against Weidman? Yikes.

 

After this year, nothing's impossible for Bisping, but I don't see his route to winning apart from utterly getting on his bike for the first 3 rds and hoping Yoel gasses in 4 and 5.

[bobontheway]

I really hope Bisping beats Romero. Honestly, if I had to put money on it, I'd pick Romero to win just due to his size, strength, and wrestling. I'm just sick of his cheating antics though. Wouldn't want him to be champ.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

[Doomguy]

3 hours ago, schmojo said:

After this year, nothing's impossible for Bisping, but I don't see his route to winning apart from utterly getting on his bike for the first 3 rds and hoping Yoel gasses in 4 and 5.

 

Totally agree Bisping will be back pedalling for 25 minutes straight. There's no way he gets another miracle KO like the Rockhold fight. 

[glb]

Any excuse to watch that KO again and again. Glorious.

 

 

[McFly]

I rewatched that fight the other day and i noticed Bisping trying to land that combo a few times before he did so it seemed something theyd planned.

 

As for Romero, hes so scary. The trips he used on Weidman were beautiful and he has huge power but hes also a bit erratic and a rule bender shall we say like against Kennedy, others to iirc. Bisping survived getting nailed by Hendo so id give Mike a chance of winning of course but Yoel is a big threat. 

[Gotters]

I think the scariest aspect for me with Romero is that the thing he's supposedly by far the best at he's hardly shown in his rise to top contender (wrestling not cheating)

 

He is trying to use an economical pace to handle his suspect gas tank but if Bisping tried to get on his bike like he did with Hendo then we've seen that tactic isn't perfect and he still gets tagged, plus I think then Romero could show his wrestling and stop looking for punches/kicks, there is no way Bisping goes to the ground voluntarily to avoid bombs in this way.

 

I love Romero as a fighter though, almost unique skill set and his fights are always entertaining.

[McFly]

For sure i agree with all of that. His reflexs and explosivness is insane. Hes pretty old but doesnt have much MMA miles on him really and he probably avoided the old "gym wars" era of training at ATT (is it ATT his camp?) And other gyms to for that matter, besides, whose gonna want to spar with that fucker?

[angel]

21 hours ago, schmojo said:

If you get any more confident in the run up to the match, I'd be happy to throw some cash in on that. Maybe even give you good odds.

 

Romero's got late finishes all day long. He's never been beyond Rd 3 (and I think he lost to Jacare), but he's so much to handle. That glimpse of his wrestling against Weidman? Yikes.

 

After this year, nothing's impossible for Bisping, but I don't see his route to winning apart from utterly getting on his bike for the first 3 rds and hoping Yoel gasses in 4 and 5.

 

Betfair stuff you mean? I don't really understand all of that. I don't dispute any of your logic, I just think Bisping might manage it.

[Doomguy]

He's used up all his luck I think. Beating Romero is a step too far. 

 

In other news, Dos Anjos is going to welterweight. Bit telling given his physique change and his recent run the guy was on something. Don't think he'll have the same success at welterweight as Cerrone. Cowboy has the length to keep the distance with some of the stronger fighters. 

 

Also Jacare is fighting Tim Boetsch. Starting to think this guy might be the best p4p guy never to have held the belt. It's ridiculous at this point. 

[McFly]

Yeah, Tim Boetsch is way under rated 

 

 

[Gotters]

only thing Jacare can get out of that fight is a payday.

 

he's kind of a warning to every un-charismatic fighter around in the new UFC, part of your obligation now is to sell and promote yourself if you want the big fights

[angel]

Boetsch is solid but I dread to think what Jacare will do to him.

[McFly]

Even though it was lighthearted what i posted, Tim still came back and nailed Yushin Okami after being out grappled for 2 rounds so Jacare better finish him if he gets the chance. Actually could be a really interesting fight.

[Doomguy]

Given some of Boetsch wins the barbarian is a pretty fitting nickname tbh. 

 

 



 



 

 



 

 

Thing is, he's the nicest guy when interviewed too. Would like to see him do well as he is one of the few genuine guys left in the sport.

 

Now watch him get popped for peds after I write that  -.-

[McFly]

I could be wrong but iirc Boetsch wrestled for "Edinboro Fighting Scots" in Pennsylvania so thats enough for me to wish him well.

 

In AzzDuh just now i saw UFC: a visual history book and it looked decent enough. Has anyone read it? Or anyother decent mma books?  Sam Sheridans A Fighters Heart is really good but has a bunch of stuff about dog fighting which isnt dor everyone. The fighters books ive read havent been great but ill probably get Dan Hardys book

[glb]

Big John McCarthy wrote a book about his experiences with MMA, quite fancy reading that (and the reviews on Amazon are pretty good).

 

Not sure if Herb has one out too, but if he does it probably stops later than it should.

[angel]

1 hour ago, McFly said:

I could be wrong but iirc Boetsch wrestled for "Edinboro Fighting Scots" in Pennsylvania so thats enough for me to wish him well.

 

In AzzDuh just now i saw UFC: a visual history book and it looked decent enough. Has anyone read it? Or anyother decent mma books?  Sam Sheridans A Fighters Heart is really good but has a bunch of stuff about dog fighting which isnt dor everyone. The fighters books ive read havent been great but ill probably get Dan Hardys book

 

There's one for a tenner in bargain bookstore (or whatever they call it) but its hilariously out of date.

 

I enjoyed Liddells autobiog. He has more kids than I have cups and plates.

[McFly]

I have Chucks book, alteady thanks and its ok. Might try Big Johns after finishing the two i have on the go just now Countdown To Zero Day and Red Platoon in case any wants to know

[Doomguy]

Big Johns book is considered one of the best. Plus he was helped by Loretta Hunt (one of the best mma journos - not in danas pocket* ) so you get info the UFC etc would rather you didn't know. 

 

Quick summary on Inside MMA.

 

 

[McFly]

Nice one, cheers.

[glb]

Looks like Khabib Ferguson is happening at 209, at least putting their respective social media posts together and getting speculation.

 

Hoping the Woodley Wonderboy rematch as the main event rumours are true too. Not entirely sold on immediate rematches as a rule, but if you're going to have one their first match-up warrants it.

[McFly]

Im the same as you, it almost always went to a rematch if soneone lost the belt but i think its warranted in this case (even if think Woodley won as he almost finished the fight twice).

 

Khabib vs El Cacuy is gonna be rad when it happens. Just please dont get injured guys, please!