MMA/UFC thread

[TRF_Olyy]

Why bother with contenders, or even belts, if none of it matters?

 

[ratsapprentice]

I didn't say it doesn't matter, I just said it's not what determines whether or not it's a sport...

Unless fighters start getting preferential treatment from refs/judges then it's status as a sport isn't affected.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Talk of the UFC200 main event being Conor vs Nate rematch.
There's also talk of Edgar vs Aldo for an interim, then winner fights Conor at a later date.

Now confirmed.
Pretty crazy that the fight for the interim is on the same card as the actual champion fighting someone else.
Also pretty crazy that the champion will likely be on a two fight losing streak, but still champion, after the fight.

Press conferences will be interesting, I imagine there will be a lot of calling McGregor a coward for refusing to defend his belt.

Also Dana White wanted the fight at 155lbs but McGregor refused and only wanted it at 170. Diaz should've said "155 or nothing" just to **** with Conor.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

I just can't see Connor being dominant above 145.
At 155, he's got dos Anjos and, imo, Khabib. Khabib is probably the worst thing that could happen to McG imo (i've said this before). He's got everything McG doesn't want in a fighter. He's one of the best take down artists in the sport and he is clearly better than McG on the ground. He literally ragdolled dos Anjos.

The only thing is he hasn't fought in a while and it remains to be seen if he still has his edge. Can't wait for Apr 16.

 

[james5000]

I just can't see Connor being dominant above 145.
At 155, he's got dos Anjos and, imo, Khabib. Khabib is probably the worst thing that could happen to McG imo (i've said this before). He's got everything McG doesn't want in a fighter. He's one of the best take down artists in the sport and he is clearly better than McG on the ground. He literally ragdolled dos Anjos.

The only thing is he hasn't fought in a while and it remains to be seen if he still has his edge. Can't wait for Apr 16.

Similar things were said about Holm before she fought Rousey.

Styles make fights is a real thing but McG has a huge striking advantage against Khabib. Khabib's stand up can only be described as cave manish and his foot work is terrible. Will he even get close enough to Conor to take him down? His striking is so weak Conor will just light him up.

Khabib hasn't fought for two years and I'm thinking he wont get past "El Cucuy" any way. Tony Ferguson is a very underrated fighter, he's a great all rounder, nothing special at anything really except for his lethal sub's repertoire.
Ferguson is far better than Khabib on his feet and even if it hits the mat he is a great submission artist from his back because of his flexibility and long limbs. I think he wears Khabib out on his feet and gets a sub on him he it hits the mat.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It's finally happening: Khabib returns tonight. There's still time for him to break, but it's looking good so far.
This new guy he's fighting is highly rated at the lower level but he's taking this fight on short notice and it's his first UFC fight. He also seems to be a real striker so Khabib will just smother him.
Looked sick as a dog at weigh ins too, missed his first weight but got it on the second attempt.
Khabibs team/gym mate popped this morning, as well, so the card has taken yet another blow


Edit:
2nd round TKO.
A win was inevitable but fairplay to Horcher, he showed real heart. Was on a hiding to nothing, really, but I hope the UFC retain him. Ease him in properly with prelim/fightpass fights and he could have a real future.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

Nothing but respect for Horcher. What he did was nothing short of suicidal. The guy apparently has a full time job and trains on his free time. He takes the fight on a very short notice, has his UFC debut and stands up against one of the best lightweights on the planet.

I wouldn't rate khabib on this fight thou.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

So McGregor just tweeted that he's retiring.

It's most likely a joke, but he has repeatedly said he's in, getting cash, getting out. Said he loves training and will do it until his body gives out, but fighting is a business and he's in it to make cash then leave early.
He's said in interviews he's VERY concerned about possibly brain trauma in fighters - maybe a scan showed something unexpected? or he's not been feeling right?,
Watched a guy die (or at least watched a guy get KOd, who then died after) in the cage the other week, and saw MMA dragged through the gutter in the scandal rags in Ireland after.


As I said, I don't think he's being serious (maybe he means he's retiring his belt to move up permanently?), but there definitely are possibilities



Edit:
Ariel Helwani (THE guy in MMA reporting) is saying this is legit, and he's heard it from multiple sources.

 

[TheSaffycen]

I don't blame him, as you said he saw a guy who died later from his injuries, which were sustained in the octagon.
He's made a lot of money, it's wether he has the desire to be best in the world or just wants the money. As I say don't blame him, I wouldn't want to take half the punishment some of these guys go through for the money.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Prob the right call IMO.

Hell of a career.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'd have liked to have seen him defend his belt, or at least faced Frankie. Still big questionmarks over his "dominance" of his weightclass.


That said: Fighting takes a toll, and with more and more research into brain trauma if you can retire with his sort of cash at his age then **** it, why not?
He's already turned down film roles in his career. Even if he just gets a couple of bit parts over the next year or so, while his name is still known, it's all money in the bank.
Maybe buy into/open an MMA gym while the MMA boom in Ireland is happening.

The guys set for life, regardless. I'd have just liked to see him fight at least 3 more times (Nate2, Edgar, RDA).

 

[munstermuffin]

Know a fellow physio linked to the SBG gym. He said recently he'd retire early as he knows he will strughle to keep winning with his style. And that his style means he wont last as long if he goes up weights. Also that his antics only work when hes the top man.

All I'd say is he has had a top career regardless but he's hugely intelligent and whatever move he makes I'm sure he will have thoroughly thought it out

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Not sure if anyone has seen the KO of the Portuguese fighter that, unfortunately, led to his death. It really wasn't that "bad". I've seen far far worse KOs in MMA before. In fact most events have a "worse" KO than that.
It really showed how you cannot hedge your bets, and that every time you step into a fight it could be your last.
The fight vs Diaz was the first time Conor has really been rocked (his previous losses were due to BJJ dominance - Diaz almost KOd him before dominating on the floor) - could have given him food for thought.
The KOs that Conor has dished out in his career have looked far worse than the one that he saw kill a man.
Could just be thinking "I don't want that to be me."

 

[TheSaffycen]

I'd have liked to have seen him defend his belt, or at least faced Frankie. Still big questionmarks over his "dominance" of his weightclass.


That said: Fighting takes a toll, and with more and more research into brain trauma if you can retire with his sort of cash at his age then **** it, why not?
He's already turned down film roles in his career. Even if he just gets a couple of bit parts over the next year or so, while his name is still known, it's all money in the bank.
Maybe buy into/open an MMA gym while the MMA boom in Ireland is happening.

The guys set for life, regardless. I'd have just liked to see him fight at least 3 more times (Nate2, Edgar, RDA).

I don't buy into the dominance of his weight class as well. He hasn't defended his ***le yet, he's got to the top very quickly because of his mouth. He is supremely talented, but Sonnen got a ***le shot because of his mouth, just the business. Fight Edgar, Aldo rematch and maybe another fight at higher.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Conor officially pulled from UFC 200.
Dana White said Conor refused to fly to America for a press conference, so they pulled him.
Biggest name.
From their biggest PPV.

Sure, Dana. We really believe that


The most popular theories seem to be:
1) Doesn't want to risk fighting/is shook up from the recent death
2) Knows he's going to pop for PEDs. USADA and Nevada State, apparently, can't comment on non-active fighters, so if he ****** hot today then an instant retirement keeps his rep intact
3) Knee injury. Knows he's going to be out a while so just calling it quits. Knows it'll take time to get back to where he was so will just step away from it and see where he is when he's 100%, with no pressure.
4) Going rogue. He wants money, straight up. Maybe Bellator have found some spare cash? GSP isn't exactly running back to the UFC, due to their Reebok deal. Give it till the end of the year then sell a Conor vs GSP super fight? Unlikely, but who ****ing knows. Who'd have guessed Conor would've just dropped out of the UFC with a tweet?

 

[Hulk Hogan]

He's probably making a switch to boxing lmao

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Such a massively inferior sport, though.
He'd be bored out of his skull.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Such a massively inferior sport, though.
He'd be bored out of his skull.

Way more money in boxing, and it'd give him far better stand up skills. He could easily get a fight against someone like Amir Khan or Miguel Cotto

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Meh, it'd teach him how to hug a man for 300 rounds and then win on judges decision, I guess.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Meh, it'd teach him how to hug a man for 300 rounds and then win on judges decision, I guess.

As someone who actively boxes with my last bout a week ago on 2 days notice, I can assure you that only bad referees let clinching continue. I've had opponents lose points for excessive clinching and slowing down of the bout, Only Kenny Bayless (Mayweathers favourite referee) allows excessive clinching.