The MMA Thread
Since there's a SE Boxing Thread that evolved out of the PBF/Pac abortion, I thought we should have a SE MMA Thread as w
Think a bigger issue is if Jones fights Stipe, who knows when he would fight again. You would have to do it somewhat quick, otherwise Pereira obviously has other ways to be used.
If Jones fights in November I'd be shocked if we saw him again before summer 2025 even if that fights is over within the first round.
He fought 8 times over the last 10 years. 2017 was the only year he fought more than once since 2013.
There are a couple options for a Pereira if he doesn't need an immediate title shot at HW. Most obvious one would be Volkov or Gane, if the latter doesn't want to be on the Paris card. Could be co-main event in NYC or headline a Brazilian card early 2025. Wildcard is the December Vegas card for which they probably try to book Conor but we know how that might end.
FWIW, if Jones is done after the Stipe fight or doesn't fight again at all, I'm pretty sure they're promoting Aspinall and at least in promo stuff will treat him as if he's been the champion since last year. They obviously couldn't strip Jones retroactively but there'd be no real need to talk about his HW title "reign" outside of mentioning he beat Gane for the belt and later gave it up.
Gane/Pereira would be a sick fight
just don't see them risking Pereira hype train being derailed against a guy that got owned in both his chances to win the title and has no star power
Taking a budding star and giving him like the toughest fight possible with the least benefit possible isnt really what the UFC does
I'm convinced Herb Dean has a secret career ambition to see someone die while he's refereeing. He'll retire immediately while a smirk on his face when it happens.
I'm convinced Herb Dean has a secret career ambition to see someone die while he's refereeing. He'll retire immediately while a smirk on his face when it happens.
I thought the stoppage was fine, although it was about 2 punches too late.
Everyone complained that the first fight was stopped early so Herb probably had that on his mind.
Gane/Pereira would be a sick fight
just don't see them risking Pereira hype train being derailed against a guy that got owned in both his chances to win the title and has no star power
Taking a budding star and giving him like the toughest fight possible with the least benefit possible isnt really what the UFC does
Feels much longer because he fought 3 times since then but we're less than a year removed from Pereira fighting Jan Błachowicz who is a terrible matchup for him and was probably one move away from winning that fight instead of losing a split decision.
Re Gane, if you remove Jones/Stipe/Aspinall from the mix is there anyone with more star power at HW? Gane is also the perfect example for how the UFC tries to build stars. Started off with a couple fights on international cards against terrible opposition, Vegas debut vs. a washed up superstar (JDS), two more super favorable matchups against pure strikers and less than 2 years into his UFC run he fought Derrick Lewis for the interim belt.
At least stylistically, Gane, Volkov and also Pavlovich are all substantially more favorable matchups than Blaydes or Almeida. There are also not many other options unless they want for him to fight way down against someone like Tuivasa who has lost 4 straight including to all 3 names at the beginning of the last sentence.
guessing this is a first
am I missing something with UFC 304? it starts at 10pm EST
havent the london cards always been on saturday afternoon? the main event isnt going to start until like 3am in England
Conor was right
I can't see UFC letting Pereira fight Jake Paul, just seems way bigger risk than reward to have a champ lose to him but is it maybe more possible than it seems?
This would likely do big #'s and UFC would get a cut, whereas he basically cleaned out LHW and HW may be a bridge too far for him anyway...He's not getting any younger either.
Pereira should takes the Jones fight if it's offered.
While I get why they do it, having a UK event in the UK, then running it at some god-awful time feels a bit crappy imo.
They did this the first time the UFC came to the UK, but I think the second one was at a UK friendly time. It is very annoying. It's not like the US fans would have to go get at up at some ungodly hour to watch if the event started late evening in the UK.
It's crappy for the fighters as well, who have to adopt weird training and sleep schedules to ensure they're fresh when their fight starts.
Funnily enough the Abu Dhabi card next week is back to a reasonable time for UK/UAE - 8pm.
5 straight decisions means that the last prelim goes past when the PPV is supposed to start time, dont think ive ever seen that before
cant say im excited for any of these fights tonight really but well see what happens
think leon prob smokes belal but hopefully belal wins for comedy sake
im probably only looking forward to the paddy fight. no idea who wins, but i like his fights
5 straight decisions means that the last prelim goes past when the PPV is supposed to start time, dont think ive ever seen that before
cant say im excited for any of these fights tonight really but well see what happens
think leon prob smokes belal but hopefully belal wins for comedy sake
Oh snap Leon is fighting tonight?
That's a watch.
that was nice. winning with 2 submissions
leon looks like he doesn't want to be there
leon looks like he looked vs colby, except belal doesnt suck
Leon's a weak champ. Got lucky with the Usman head kick.
Okay wild finish. He absolutely gashed him open with that elbow.
does belal ever headline a PPV as champ? lol
DC basically cut his interview short because it sucked so bad, talking his nutritionist
like call someone out fool
guessing JDM/Shavkat winner gets Belal at the apex
Leon was a boring champ and Belal will be even duller.
Unlike Alex Pereira now that dude is a superstar!
