The MMA Thread

Bit surprising Izzy wasn't able to more effectively counter DDP's absurd rushes, the ones where he leaps off the ground, throwing wild punches while leaving his feet way behind him.

DDP's one of those guys whoe physicality is basically cheating. He can get away with major technical slopponess in his striking thanks to incredible power and explosiveness.

I got a W on the DDP bet. Honestly thought DDP would have immediately turned it into a grappling fight rather than stand and trade and get picked apart.

In Round 2 DDP takes Israel down in a great position and gets the choke on. I've got no idea, but he somehow loses the position and then looked absolutely shattered after that.

DDP looks shattered the rest of the fight and so slow. I don't think the choke was even in properly before Israel tapped.

I think Izzy in his prime probably sleeps him or it goes like Vettori/Cannonier/Whittaker where they just basically give up on being able to hit him by the end cause the countering is too sharp

that 5 fights in 18 month with the 2 Pereira fights in there really took it out of him

man UFC has a lot of champs that it is hard to see headlining PPVs right now......might have to bet OMalley to beat Merab based on that alone

Aspinall/Topuria/DDP/Belal/Pantoja

Roundtree is next for Pereira? damn, getting protected a little bit there

Could see UFC letting Pereira go down to 185 and win the belt too, even if he would have to immediately vacate. It buys them time rather than let Ankalaav or someone take him down.

Doubt Pereira ever fights at 185 again. God knows how he ever cut so much weight to begin with, and cuts become tougher as one ages.

Rountree is #8?

How often does someone ranked that low get a chance at the title?

Erceg was ranked #10 at his title shot with Pantoja a few months ago

Throwing Pereira an easy fight to protect the record and maintain the hype train until the super fight.

Would be hilarious if Rountree gets the W and rips up the script.

i think strickland was 7th when he faced izzy

I like Rountree a lot. He seems tough. Hopefully it's a fun fight.

I had a look and Strickland was 5th.

1. DDP
2. Whittaker
3. Cannonier
4. Vettori
5. Strickland

MW is in such an interesting spot right now. Like 10 people who can potentially be champion in the next 24 months

Which 10? The division looks a bit dead to me.

yeah anyone can be the champ because the threshold to do so just isn't that high right now....lot of parity

but atleast there are a bunch of good fights you can make

1. DDP (current champ)
2. Strickland ( #1 contender)
3. Whittaker (probably gets titleshot after Khamzat win)
4. Adesanya (star power, always 1 win away from titleshot)
5. Khamzat (if he beats Whittaker, always been favored by the UFC)
6. Imavov (ranked #4)
7. Brendan Allen (7-fight win streak)
8. Borralho ( Ranked #5 and 7-fight win streak, undefeated in UFC)
9. Winner of Michael Pereira - Fluffy (both big win streak)
10. Bo Nickal (Dana White privilege and best wrassler in division?)

Madlex, thoughts on Omalley vs Merab??? The line I get at my sportsbook is 1.76x for Omalley, which I am leaning. Also 3x for Omalley by KO, thoughts???

I bought O'Malley at 2.1x (+110) early on. Pretty small bet though. Had I bought more I would hedge with Merab at 2.10x right now for the guaranteed win.

3x O'Malley KO looks good, DK has that at +150 = 2.5x right now. Elephant in the room is the +400 O'Malley by decision which might be closer to +800 if roles were reversed.

Thx friend, as always, it is greatly appreciated

that Aldana / Dumont fight was nice

don't think I've seen a fighter (Dumont) be on their heels the entire fight and still dominate.

Just put the money on O'Malley right?

I think it’s O’Malley by Ko or Merab by decision .

Ngl this Sphere **** is highly entertaining.

Looks cool af.

Sphere looks unbelievable.

merab has pillow hands, pretty boring

if belal and merab are the future of the UFC, they may have to look at some rule changes

if bones retires after stipe, they won't have 1 US born champ

could see omalley just moving up to 145 and fighting guys like max, volk to make money...doubt he can get that much better grappling to beat merab/usman anytime soon