General UFC thread

Bigga said:
Finally got around to watching the bouts. Unless I've missed something, the bouts were unrecognisable from what we spoke about.

And regarding the main fight, you're right, Smith needed saving from himself.

If I was him, I'd get rid of that team. They weren't thinking about the fighter at all. Making AS push a pace for a 5 round bout? Not an intelligent team, at all.

Hats off to GT! Well deserved, but unexpected win!
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Not been able to watch the rest of the event yet, busy time in the gaff as we might all have the 'rona! But re the Smith fight, i thought the first round was going how we pretty much thought but then something happened, whether he was gassed or he injured something, but he was gone by the second round. Glover has always had hands made of concrete, AS face was an absolute mess after the fight. Agree re his team, they should be sacked and i wouldn't want them cornering another fighter again tbh!
 
shevtheblue said:
Not been able to watch the rest of the event yet, busy time in the gaff as we might all have the 'rona! But re the Smith fight, i thought the first round was going how we pretty much thought but then something happened, whether he was gassed or he injured something, but he was gone by the second round. Glover has always had hands made of concrete, AS face was an absolute mess after the fight. Agree re his team, they should be sacked and i wouldn't want them cornering another fighter again tbh!
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Yes, Smith gassed mainly from round 3. I definitely had him winning the first two rounds.

Overnight news has my back peddling on Jon Jones! Maybe it's twatter bitchin', but it seems Jones and Ngannou are itchin' to get the fight on! Jones wanted a catchweight first, but was impressed by OSP's performance at HW(surprised me too, tbf!).

I think he invited FN a chance at the LHW belt, too!

Gonna be a PPV record, I think, if this happens.
 
Very disappointed in Woodleys performance over the weekend, i think he's completely been found out now. He's always been very tentative but managed to land the right when needed, but his last two fights have been shockingly bad. HOOOOWEVER, fucking hell Gilbert Burns has arrived, what a performance and i am now a big fan. I was a bit down on him after he smashed Maia but he's amazing. I love his aggression, the entry into the takedowns and timing of them was phenomenal and his desire to try and finish the fight even though he was way ahead, brilliant fighter. What's mad is he mvoed up from LW and looked like a legit WW to me in there, he's gonna give problems to a lot of guys.
There was some decent fights on the card, the Dern kneebar was quite good but a bit daft from the other fighter. Quarantillo vs Spike fight was great fun. Antonia Shevchenko got battered for 3 round, its mad because she seems to have everything available to her to win fights but she can't put any of it together. She's only lost two but in the one's she has won she's not really looked that good. Looks like she has spent most of her time helping Valentina progress, maybe she should just take a back step and concentrate on that, can't see her ever winning a title here tbh.
 
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Gaethje against Khabib, what do we think? Gaethje used to be just chaos, but it seemed like it was organised vs Ferguson, i was very impressed. We know Khabib isn't going to be shooting for double legs, so if Justin can continue circling and make sure he exits fast in those scrambles, i think he could do it. For Khabib, it will be about getting a hold of Gaethje and wearing him down, like he does with everyone else. But it will be interesting to see how he is in the first fight since his father passed away, he even said himself that he doesn't know how he will react as his father was such a big part of his life.
 
Been having a few days of catch up on these fights, starting from Fight Night 176!

My conclusions on UFC 253 didn't change where Adesanya was concerned especially after watching the pre-fight videos. I saw similar confidence in similar fighters against Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya reminds me of the same confidence and assurance. I had no worries on that fight.

Looking back I want to highlight Casey Kenney as a future great. I'm so stunned at this kid's level. His style takes my breath away.

Anyway, let me drop this pre-fight press conference. I thought it was a little strange, the fighters dropping hints on what Saturday's going to bring, along with some dumb questions.
 
I have Gaethje, myself. Nurmagomedov is developing a headspace where he agrees he's the "greatest". I known no "greatest" fighter to not have head movement when it comes to boxing. Nurmagomedov will get KO'd if he keeps it on the feet, but I don't think he will.

I see Nurmagomedov shooting Gaethje takedowns starting in R2 and Gaethje starting to sprawl through them early on with it ending in fisticuffs, the majority of what's left of the fight.

I do NOT see this going 5 rounds.

I will be the most surprised person on the forum if Nurmagomedov knocks out Gaethje.
 
Bigga said:
I have Gaethje, myself. Nurmagomedov is developing a headspace where he agrees he's the "greatest". I known no "greatest" fighter to not have head movement when it comes to boxing. Nurmagomedov will get KO'd if he keeps it on the feet, but I don't think he will.

I see Nurmagomedov shooting Gaethje takedowns starting in R2 and Gaethje starting to sprawl through them early on with it ending in fisticuffs, the majority of what's left of the fight.

I do NOT see this going 5 rounds.

I will be the most surprised person on the forum if Nurmagomedov knocks out Gaethje.
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Khabib all day, Justin's wrestling isn't up to par with Khabib's however anybody wants to paint it. Gaethje's only chance in this fight IMO is through striking and the scrambles he creates. Khabib has already said he's not going to try and Knockout Gaethje and he's sticking to "Fathers Plan".

"I known no "greatest" fighter to not have head movement when it comes to boxing" Yet here he is 28-0 standing at the point of greatness, How many times have you seen Khabib being baby bounced on his arse from shots hes taken? The closest to anything of the sort was his fight against Micheal Johnson but it really wasn't that, Khabib has also taken big shots and has a granite chin but people don't acknowledge that!
 
Bigga said:
Been having a few days of catch up on these fights, starting from Fight Night 176!

My conclusions on UFC 253 didn't change where Adesanya was concerned especially after watching the pre-fight videos. I saw similar confidence in similar fighters against Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya reminds me of the same confidence and assurance. I had no worries on that fight.

Looking back I want to highlight Casey Kenney as a future great. I'm so stunned at this kid's level. His style takes my breath away.

Anyway, let me drop this pre-fight press conference. I thought it was a little strange, the fighters dropping hints on what Saturday's going to bring, along with some dumb questions.
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Izzy is great, but honestly he doesn't want that JJ smoke. It's a real bad matchup for him.
 
Bigga said:
I have Gaethje, myself. Nurmagomedov is developing a headspace where he agrees he's the "greatest". I known no "greatest" fighter to not have head movement when it comes to boxing. Nurmagomedov will get KO'd if he keeps it on the feet, but I don't think he will.

I see Nurmagomedov shooting Gaethje takedowns starting in R2 and Gaethje starting to sprawl through them early on with it ending in fisticuffs, the majority of what's left of the fight.

I do NOT see this going 5 rounds.

I will be the most surprised person on the forum if Nurmagomedov knocks out Gaethje.
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Khabib isn't KO-ing Gaethje, but i wouldn't be surprised if he TKO's him. However, i feel like this will play out on the floor a lot. Justin is an NCAA caliber wrestler, but even DC says that Khabib's wrestling is just different and transitions so well for MMA. Justin looked like a transformed fighter last time out, but he's a front foot fighter and that suits Khabib to a T. I think Firas summed it up best, we have never seen Gaethje's bottom game but we know that Khabib is very heavy on top.

If i was Gaethje, i would pepper with amazing low kicks whenever it is on the feet. So much of Khabib's power comes from his legs, take them out of the equation and catch him later.
 
NOID said:
Khabib all day, Justin's wrestling isn't up to par with Khabib's however anybody wants to paint it. Gaethje's only chance in this fight IMO is through striking and the scrambles he creates. Khabib has already said he's not going to try and Knockout Gaethje and he's sticking to "Fathers Plan".

"I known no "greatest" fighter to not have head movement when it comes to boxing" Yet here he is 28-0 standing at the point of greatness, How many times have you seen Khabib being baby bounced on his arse from shots hes taken? The closest to anything of the sort was his fight against Micheal Johnson but it really wasn't that, Khabib has also taken big shots and has a granite chin but people don't acknowledge that!
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I'm going to disagree to some extent.

Nurmagomedov is 28-0 for a reason and that's because he wrestles. I don't know if you remember or not, but Nurmagomedov was rocked once or twice by Johnson's head shots and he isn't especially accurate when it comes to boxing. He needs a relatively still target. Gathje is a different animal in power and accuracy.

Didn't Al Iaquinta stop the majority of Nurmagomedov's takedowns in 5 rounds? Pretty sure that's the case.

For me, Gaethje doesn't need superior wrestling, he needs the stamina to stop chains of takedown efforts and let Nurmagomedov wear himself out. He's good enough to do that.

It's Nurmagomedov's boxing that has to improve, in my opinion.
 
shevtheblue said:
Khabib isn't KO-ing Gaethje, but i wouldn't be surprised if he TKO's him. However, i feel like this will play out on the floor a lot. Justin is an NCAA caliber wrestler, but even DC says that Khabib's wrestling is just different and transitions so well for MMA. Justin looked like a transformed fighter last time out, but he's a front foot fighter and that suits Khabib to a T. I think Firas summed it up best, we have never seen Gaethje's bottom game but we know that Khabib is very heavy on top.

If i was Gaethje, i would pepper with amazing low kicks whenever it is on the feet. So much of Khabib's power comes from his legs, take them out of the equation and catch him later.
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I'd be surprised if Nurmagomedov even gets that TKO!

Everything else I agree with, though. I agree there'll be a kicking game, but I think Gaethje will mix it up, beautifully.

I'm so impressed with his growth in the sport. He's gone from banging 'for fun' to exacting an intellect in his game.

Working out Ferguson was masterful and was proof his direction has changed.
 
Bigga said:
I'm going to disagree to some extent.

Nurmagomedov is 28-0 for a reason and that's because he wrestles. I don't know if you remember or not, but Nurmagomedov was rocked once or twice by Johnson's head shots and he isn't especially accurate when it comes to boxing. He needs a relatively still target. Gathje is a different animal in power and accuracy.

Didn't Al Iaquinta stop the majority of Nurmagomedov's takedowns in 5 rounds? Pretty sure that's the case.

For me, Gaethje doesn't need superior wrestling, he needs the stamina to stop chains of takedown efforts and let Nurmagomedov wear himself out. He's good enough to do that.

It's Nurmagomedov's boxing that has to improve, in my opinion.
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And that's perfectly fine.

I literally said in the post you replied to "The closest to anything of the sort was his fight against Micheal Johnson but it really wasn't that" Acknowledging he took a few shots from Micheal Johnson but if you remember the fight and what happened to Johnson soon after he connected with Khabib a few times then that's that!

Khabib doesnt need to do anything with his boxing along the lines of improving really though does he? he's only got a few fights left and He only needs to trade if that for a few shots before he goes for a single or double take down and achieved what the setup was for, There's not that many strikers who he's fought that have done him much damage.

Admittedly Gaethje has the Advantage with striking, His leg kicks will play a big part.

The Al Iaquinta fight isn't really one to judge on though is it? Al Iaquinta stepped in on one days notice and that whole show was a shit show!

Gaetjhe will wear himself out defending Khabibs takedowns long before Khabib wears himself out and I politely have to disagree with you on that!

Lastly Just to remind you that Gaethje got outwrestled by both Poirier and Alvarez, We already know how one of their wrestling stood up to Khabibs when they met!
 
NOID said:
And that's perfectly fine.

I literally said in the post you replied to "The closest to anything of the sort was his fight against Micheal Johnson but it really wasn't that" Acknowledging he took a few shots from Micheal Johnson but if you remember the fight and what happened to Johnson soon after he connected with Khabib a few times then that's that!

Khabib doesnt need to do anything with his boxing along the lines of improving really though does he? he's only got a few fights left and He only needs to trade if that for a few shots before he goes for a single or double take down and achieved what the setup was for, There's not that many strikers who he's fought that have done him much damage.

Admittedly Gaethje has the Advantage with striking, His leg kicks will play a big part.

The Al Iaquinta fight isn't really one to judge on though is it? Al Iaquinta stepped in on one days notice and that whole show was a shit show!

Gaetjhe will wear himself out defending Khabibs takedowns long before Khabib wears himself out and I politely have to disagree with you on that!

Lastly Just to remind you that Gaethje got outwrestled by both Poirier and Alvarez, We already know how one of their wrestling stood up to Khabibs when they met!
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I'm enjoying this discussion despite our slight differences, by the way and I acknowledged your Johnson point as I was drawing it as reference.

Now...

Would you not be worried if Iaquinta came in on one day's notice, stopped takedowns AND lasted 5 rounds?? I think I would be.

Johnson, as far as I know isn't a wrestler, which is why he likes to keep it standing. So, for me, to 'trade' with a piston punching target finder in Gaethje would be an absolute mistake even for a few minutes.

Gaethje sprawling would take less energy than the effort to takedown. I've seen it so many times how the 'gas tank' depletes with unsuccessful attempts.

And, yes, I agree that Gaethje got outwrestled by Poirier and Alvarez, but he wasn't focused in that period. He was there for the fun fight. As the Ferguson fight showed, he's changed.
 
Bigga said:
I'm enjoying this discussion despite our slight differences, by the way and I acknowledged your Johnson point as I was drawing it as reference.

Now...

Would you not be worried if Iaquinta came in on one day's notice, stopped takedowns AND lasted 5 rounds?? I think I would be.

Johnson, as far as I know isn't a wrestler, which is why he likes to keep it standing. So, for me, to 'trade' with a piston punching target finder in Gaethje would be an absolute mistake even for a few minutes.

Gaethje sprawling would take less energy than the effort to takedown. I've seen it so many times how the 'gas tank' depletes with unsuccessful attempts.

And, yes, I agree that Gaethje got outwrestled by Poirier and Alvarez, but he wasn't focused in that period. He was there for the fun fight. As the Ferguson fight showed, he's changed.
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I completely agree, healthy discussion and all that.


Ok I get what you're saying and all I can put that down to was the chain of events leading up to that fight, I mean I don’t have the reason to why that happened apart from the whole card was a bit of mess leading up to that fight. I will say though put Al Iaquinta in with Khabib next and you'd see a totally different dominant win from Khabib to the first fight.

Johnson isn't known for his wrestling abilities No but he didn't outwrestle Khabib neither, Khabib traded with him and then took it to the ground when he got rocked and mauled him? I've said that Gaethje's only chance is with his striking and as much as people underrate his wrestling it's just not on the same level as Khabibs in any form.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure Gaethje has one of the best Takedown defences in the division and forces the fight to the feet but again he's not dealt with a mma wrestler like Khabib and as I've highlighted the RDA, Alvarez and Poirier mauling's he's taken, Khabib dominated RDA and Poirier on the ground.

You are talking about Khabib and he can wrestle, He'll keep attempting the takedown as he has with every opponent previously and he'll get that takedown and once he's got him down you know where it goes from there, so the trade off in defending/getting the takedown is in Khabib's favour massively.

I'm not and haven't disrespected Gaethje's wrestling ability as he's decorated and its an incredibly respected record, I mean he smashed Jordan Burroughs teeth out ffs but I think the Lads from Dagestan wrestle on a different level to the rest in the UFC, Daniel Cormier and Luke Rockhold have both spoken at great length about how he finds khabib hard to deal with when wrestling him.
 
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