Official Mixed Martial Arts Thread

[glb]

Yep, that's McGregor done with the Octagon. He won't go back to the (relatively) small purses that come with a far greater risk. Talk of him agreeing a stipulation with Dana / UFC to return but he'll have plenty in the bank to not worry about breaking any contract that might be in place.

 

Glad I got to go to 205 to see the electricity the kid generates, but similar to @orion frustrated that the flashes of brilliance McGregor has shown in the Octagon are all but a thing of the past.

[V3zna]

I still think McGregor had a lot to prove in the octagon. I'll certainly not look back at him as one of the best ever, not even close. He was an interesting curio for a while but if feels like an unfulfilled career. It's quite the pay day so it's hard to blame him for taking it. I still find it strange someone can get sanctioned with a 0-0 record to go in against a 49-0 fighter! That's just wrong surely?

[glb]

100% agree @vezna, he's delivered most times he said he would and is a very good fighter, but hard to put him in the upper echelons of the sport simply because he hasn't had a single title defence (I know I'm raking old ground in this thread, sorry). 

 

What he unquestionably is, is the greatest MMA self-promoter of all time. To go from rags to untold riches in less than a decade is remarkable; he's the PT Barnum of MMA and could probably sell snow to Eskimos.

 

I'd love to think he'd grace the Octagon a few more times, fights Khabib, fights Ferguson but if he can pull off this Mayweather event then he's only fighting a few showpieces against whoever he wants, if he even wants (needs) to come back.

[Yobo Ahoy]

Seems UFC are hopeful of him coming back in December but I can't see it. He's all about the bigger and better, returning for a lower purse to defend his title isn't his style. 

 

As for the fight, I'll watch it (nb without paying - I'll wait for highlights on YouTube if need be) but weirdly it still doesn't excite me. I think a lot of people will be disappointed. Fair play to all involved for getting it made though, I thought it would never happen.

[McFly]

1 hour ago, Yobo Ahoy said:

Seems UFC are hopeful of him coming back in December but I can't see it. He's all about the bigger and better, returning for a lower purse to defend his title isn't his style. 

I was just thinking about that, would the UFC only sanction this 'fight' if MacGregor fought again in the UFC afterwards? He's their biggest star by far and would they let this happen if it meant he'd retire straight away afterwards? Conor has been fighting for years, i doubt he can give it up, bags of money or not, as easily as some people think.

 

Boxing fans are dismissive along with MMA fans, the only people who really want this are the fighters it seems. Id much rather see him fight MMA, thats for sure. 

 

 

 

 

 

[schmojo]

I think the UFC have been negotiating to just take a big old slice of Mac's purse. They know that they've lost control over him, and he could just void any agreement to fight in the cage again by retiring.

 

I do wonder if, after WME stepped in, they started talking about Conor's future *outside* the octagon. It isn't valuable to the UFC, but could certainly be valuable to WME. Movie deals, that kind of thing.

[Dark Soldier]

Matt Hughes airlifted to hospital after the truck he was in collided with a train:

 

http://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/19654828/former-ufc-fighter-matt-hughes-airlifted-medical-facility-truck-collides-train

 

Fuck

[McFly]

FFS  sounds like it was on purpose aswell.

[schmojo]

Is it just me, or does this graphic look a bit... tacky, or celebratory or something?

 

"That's right, Joe! Thoughts and prayers to Matt Hughes. Corn to the core!"

[McFly]

Generic i think

[Doomguy]

4 hours ago, McFly said:

FFS  sounds like it was on purpose aswell.

 

I didn't even think of that at first. It sounded to me more like he was trying to speed across before the train got there; which means he's more likely to survive. I think if he was stationary on the track in his car it'd be over instantly. 

[McFly]

Maybe, to me it sounded like he drove into the side of it as it was crossing in front of him. Like a spur of the moment chance.

[Doomguy]

We'll find out eventually. I know he put a lot of people off when he appeared on TUF years ago. I didn't think he was a bad person just stubborn (set in his ways). 

[McFly]

Yeah, was it season 2 of TUF he was on? He was super competitive with an old-school wrestler mentality. I had big respect for his fighting but i was GSP guy, never forget him crushing Royce Gracie and he said "They said it was BJJ that beat Royce but it wasnt BJJ that beat him it was American Wrestling" Or something like that. 

[Orion]

1 hour ago, Stevedave said:

We'll find out eventually. I know he put a lot of people off when he appeared on TUF years ago. I didn't think he was a bad person just stubborn (set in his ways). 

 

It's probably not the best time to say it but he has a rep as a total dickhead. In his own book he boasts about torturing animals and bullying people/other fighters. In fact his book is kind of legendary in how much of an asshole he comes across in it.

[Dark Soldier]

When he carried Frank Trigg across the cage and slammed him is still one of my earliest MMA memories. Guy was a beast but yeah apparently he's a bit of a prick.

[Doomguy]

51 minutes ago, Orion said:

 

It's probably not the best time to say it but he has a rep as a total dickhead. In his own book he boasts about torturing animals and bullying people/other fighters. In fact his book is kind of legendary in how much of an asshole he comes across in it.

 

Yeh, I was trying to be polite. He wasn't exactly respected by the fighters either. He's kind of in that Tito Ortiz group where people have great respect for what they accomplished (a lot less for ortiz) but can't tolerate their nonsense. 

[McFly]

First MMA fight i saw was Hughes vs GSP where Matt finished him with the armbar, so he's etched in mind for that. 

 

He definetly seemed like he probably ruined a few "nerds" lives at school.

 

 

[glb]

UFC Singapore

 

Holm Correia was dreadful... until the statement KO by Holm. Beautiful kick. Wish she just had a little more 'nasty' in her, because her striking is immense.

[McFly]

Spoiler

Im no fan Holm, i wanted her to get splattered but beautiful kick then a savage punch to finish. I dont think ive ever seen a ref stop the fight and tell both people to start fighting. Rightly so to.

 

[McFly]

I didnt spoiler it, its too good a photo

[glb]

I wasn't sure how sensitive the thread is to spoilers... guess people only come here after they know results right?

 

It was as good a kick as you'll see all year,   a real bright spot on a fairly mediocre card.

 

Cyborg Vs Megan Anderson in the works for 214. If that comes off, fair chance women will headline the next two PPVs, based on Cormier Jones precarious likelihood of happening.

[McFly]

Aye, we used to spoiler ages ago but gave up, i dont know why i did it just now. If you look in the thread pre-results then thats your fault.

 

Holms awesome kick is kinda annoying as i dont rate her and it was being proven in front of everyone she wasnt all that, then she goes and does that perfect "?" kick to finish Betch.

[McFly]

I guess he dominated the fight but to me Colby Covington looked a right knob strutting around shouting "this is my house!" etc after his decision of Kim. He held him on the cage and did.....what? Nothing. No sub attempts, very few strikes then parades about like that. If Ben Askren wont be signed by the UFC cos he's dull then Covington aint gonna be around long, John Fitch 2.0.

[skittles]

Card was a bit meh but the pre-lims were very very good.

 

Love how beth taunted her seconds before that switch kick. Beautiful. Anyone know how the gate did? Really enjoyed watching from home on a saturday night.

[glb]

8,414 in attendance for $839k, according to a few reports. Add in merch and that'll be a worthwhile trip for the UFC. Made a change being able to watch in a pub on a Saturday afternoon; usually US events are 5am starts on a Sunday, which is a workday.

 

Still swooning at the kick, just beautiful. The follow-up punch was devastating, guess because knockouts aren't as common in women's divisions.

[Doomguy]

Can't get over the taunting before the kick. It was like 'turn me into a highlight reel please'. 

[Corrogate]

Surprised there's no recent interviews from Matt Mitrione. Got Fedor on Saturday, they should be capitalising on their talent.

[Yobo Ahoy]

Shhhhh! I am gobsmacked noone has dropped off that card yet so I am refusing to even mention it.

 

Annoyingly it looks like I will have to revert to pirating for it, I can't see any UK TV listings. Which means it's either on next Saturday or not at all.

[McFly]

Yeah i'll be sailing the high seas for the first time in a long time to see Bellator 180. Im really looking forward to it, Bellator havent had much luck with big events (Kimbo/Dada and Gracie/Shamrock) so i hope this works out for them.