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
Based on Ilia's credentials, he is fully deserving of fighting for the 155 title right away, so I do think that's likely the next fight for him as well.
The other potential contenders would be names like Charles, Arman and Dustin. But I think a champion vs champion fight sells bigger and that's what the UFC tends to target. Those other guys are dangerous and would potentially take away the champ vs champ fight. Also and Arman vs Topuria fight would eliminate a legit contender for a champ, where as both are already deserving to fight for the title.
I thought they may have tried a Valentina vs Weili superfight also. But since UFC Montreal is only 3 months after Weili's last fight, a double champ fight is still on the table for Weili before the end of this year.
Some other fights I look forward to hearing about in the coming months:
-Jon Jones vs Aspinal. Or else vs Pereira if they can't make it happen.
-DDP vs Khamzat
-Merab vs Yan 2
-Kayla Harrison vs Juliana Pena
-Belal/Maddelena winner vs Shavkat
It's only February, but tonight is easily front runner for card of the year.
7 fights in, and not one of them has made it past the second round.
Crazy too cause half the card has been rescheduled with injuries .
Bleh Dan Hooker/Justin Gaethje cancelled.
Hooker injured his hand sparring.
Anyone excited for UFC action? Pereira vs Ankalaev is a tough fight to call. Styles make fights. If it's standing Pereira takes it. If it goes to the ground often, Ankalaev has the edge there.
Gaethje has a rematch with Fiziev. I favour Gaethje just because he won the first match and he has been training for a five round fight. Fiziev is taking this short notice.
There should be some other good action on the card as well.
2 fights already cancelled
I like Francis Marshall to get the upset, and I won't be betting against Alex P.
Prediction: Magomed goes in for a takedown in the 1st or 2nd and Alex hits him square in the temple with a knee. Night, night.
Alex is him man. I'm watching this ufc for him to win and obtain further glory.
I'm 100% pulling for Alex as well. Its a way better outcome for future matchups and super fights. Also I don't like Magomed's tactics of provoking Alex's past drinking issues and making fun of him for working in a tire shop. Alex has improved his life in ways that people could only dream of.
Betting wise, I got a small bet on Gaethje, money on Bahamondes and I have Ruffy to win and over 1.5 rounds. Small bet on Lemos. And Van/Tsuruya to go over 2.5 rounds, with a small bet on Van.
thoughts on that decision? i had it 48-47 poatan but guess they gave ankalaav more credit for the cage control/grappling tie ups
ankalaav won rd 3 on all 3 cards? umm i didnt think that watching live
had it 2-2 into the 5th
Alex looked way less effective that fight besides getting off his calf kicks regularly in round 1. I did have it 3-2 Alex though. I think he landed more strikes in round 3, but it might have been forward pressure by Ankalaev that won it.
I have to imagine the next 205 title fight is likely vs Jiri. If not, then maybe a rematch.
Gaethje won as an underdog, but he won a 3 round decision vs Fiziev which was the same result he had two years ago.
The Ruffy KO to start the card was spectacular. But the rest was a bit underwhelming in terms of action.
Ank had more control time. Was the fighter who advanced more often and landed the biggest blow of the fight. If it wasn't for the bell, he probably wins by KO.
I wanted Alex to win, but I don't hate the decision.
I think they just give Poatan a chance to get the belt back if he wants it
LHW is so dead and it was a coin flip decision anyway
atleast tonight's result probably increases the chances of Jones/Aspinall happening
UFC should just cut bones a check
atleast tonight's result probably increases the chances of Jones/Aspinall happening
UFC should just cut bones a check
With Alex losing, Aspinall is the only big fight he can be involved with now. Dana think that fight gets done for this summer.
UFC tries to be cheap with fighters and not set new precedents with paying fighters, even though they have more than enough money to afford it. Their revenues go up considerably every year with multi million dollar sponsorship and rights deals. Yet bonuses have been $50k for over 10 years.
The Alex train was a fun ride while it lasted.
Def thought he lost.
**** ufc is so boring now.
The sport needs Tom vs Jones
The Alex train was a fun ride while it lasted.
Def thought he lost.
**** ufc is so boring now.
The sport needs Tom vs Jones
I was seeing some stuff on thie internet saying UFC is having a problem with making new stars. Alex losing is definitely a massive hit as he was the current #1 active star. Conor's return is no where in sight, even though he was scheduled to fight Chandler last summer.
If Jones vs Aspinall doesn't happen it will be a major black eye to the UFC. I think they will be more flexible and willing to give into Jones' demands. This would be the #1 most antipated fight for the rest of the year.
Other anticpated fights in the near future would be:
- Ilia vs Islam
- Dricus vs Khamzat
- Belal vs Shavkat (after JDM)
Those would be the biggest fights UFC can make, but they are well below Jones vs Aspinall. Other divisions would have title defenses that aren't so exciting.
- 125 - Pantoja could defend against Kara-France or Kape. Though Kape just defeated a lower ranked guy using multiple eye pokes. Otherwise he has cleaned out the division.
- 135 - rumours are Merab will be defending vs O'Malley. If O'Malley loses two in a row, that really hurts his hype. Its questionable that he even deserves the hype of being a title contender, given he only beat one top 10 fighter (Yan) in a questionable split decision, before fighting for the title. Otherwise he has cleaned out the division.
- 145 - Alex vs Diego is in April, but it won't be as legit of a title fight with Ilia vacating.
- 155 - Islam has been dominant and is just awaiting to be challenged by Arman or Ilia.
- 170 - Belal is defending vs JDM, and then awaiting Shavkat.
- 185 - DDP is awaiting Khamzat. Otherwise he has cleaned out the division.
- 205 - Magomed could face Pereira, Jiri or a Blachowicz rematch if he gets some momentum.
Heavyweight - Jones vs Aspinall is the only fight to make. The next highest ranked guys like Gane and Volkov fall so far below the top two guys.
I think right now, the UFC needs some of these young emerging guys to work their way up the rankings and emerge as contenders. Some names like Buckley, Bahamondes, Jean Silva, Prates, Morales, and Fluffy Hernandez. Those are some names that could potentially contend, but likely not within this year.
Nice post MizrachiPoker. We need the fighting nerds era.
I was going to bet on Ankalaev as his odds looked good but I generally suck at sports betting.
I have to say, in terms of a spectacle that fight was dull AF. Both of them looked slow as hell and apart from a few moments nothing much landed. I did expect Ankalaev to take him down and dominate which didn't seem to happen.
I'm not convinced Pereira has any decent ground game. The division also looks like a pretty weak one generally. I was a bit surprised that Pereira lost the decision purely because he's got the hype train behind him and they could tease the fight with Jon Jones. Now I don't think there's any way JJ can duck Aspinall.
I nailed the Pereira loss. Was quite taken aback by the number on the fight, but it seemed to further back my take. Missed on Brother Gaethje, though. What a hombre he is!
Did Pereira land any big thunder that the guy just walked thru, or he couldn't catch him?? I see he stuffed every take down attempt and still lost.
