UFC/MMA in 2016

Marciano490

Urological Expert
SoSH Member
Nov 4, 2007
62,312
Yeah, long arms, but does a nice job keeping them tucked in. A lot of fighters - especially with long arms - throw loopier punches, or let their elbows come away from their bodies when they're throwing which leaves them open down the middle, saps power, and means their punches take longer to get to their destination.

As for Connor being the underdog, it's hard to take away much from a flash KO like that. I have enormous respect for his training and skill, but what did we really learn from that fight, definitively? A couple inches or milliseconds a different way, Aldo's shot lands a little more flush and his a little less and he's the one going down. Plus, I think his fight against Mendes was fairly close. He started in on him at the end of the round, and I thought it was a quick stoppage considering the bell was about to ring. Not saying Mendes would've/should've won, but before that final flurry it was fairly close.

Again, tons of respect for Connor and think he's the real deal, but given RDA's more solid and consistent pedigree at this point, and weight advantage, I can see the argument for making CM the underdog.
 

DanoooME

above replacement level
SoSH Member
Mar 16, 2008
19,831
Henderson, NV
Watching WSOF 27 on NBCSN. Prelim fight between Willis and Foxworth. WIllis dominates the first two rounds, but Foxworth nails him with an elbow to the bridge of the nose with 2 seconds left in the 2nd round. Blood immediately starts pouring out of the cut and I mean pouring. I don't know how Willis is surviving this 3rd round (he's even winning it) because he's lost a shitload of blood. They stopped to check the cut twice already. Looks like he's going to make it to a dominant win, I'd say 30-26. So much blood everywhere. They are going to need a cleaning crew for this one.
 

Infield Infidel

teaching korea american
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
11,463
Meeting Place, Canada
Werdum out too. Overeem just finished his contract, and has yet to re-sign. Miocic-Rothwell with both guys on 2 weeks notice? Can they just cancel it? They can't move up the co-main unless they keep it at 3 rounds.
 

Phragle

wild card bitches
SoSH Member
Jan 1, 2009
13,154
Carmine's closet
I guess Bellator just signed Benson Henderson. This sucks as a Bendo fan. I thought he was good enough to make a run at 170 or especially 155.
 

Infield Infidel

teaching korea american
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
11,463
Meeting Place, Canada
Damn, I love Wonderboy's game. My worry for him was his takedown defense but once he defended Hendricks's first takedown, I was like "Thompson's got this." He's just a weird guy to fight. Stances, angles, movement, distance control, great at circling away from trouble.

Hendricks's best days may be behind him. He's been in some real wars and really wasn't in this fight. He may have just been uncomfortable though, styles make matchups
 
Last edited:

Zomp

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Aug 28, 2006
13,942
The Slums of Shaolin
Damn, I love Wonderboy's game. My worry for him was his takedown defense but once he defended Hendricks's first takedown, I was like "Thompson's got this." He's just a weird guy to fight. Stances, angles, movement, distance control, great at circling away from trouble.

Hendricks's best days may be behind him. He's been in some real wars and really wasn't in this fight. He may have just been uncomfortable though, styles make matchups

My first time watching Thompson. Was extremely impressed at his accuracy and the length he could keep Hendricks at with his kicks. I wonder what they'll do for his next match up. Could he fight Rory?
 

Gunfighter 09

wants to be caribou ken
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2005
8,548
KPWT
My first time watching Thompson. Was extremely impressed at his accuracy and the length he could keep Hendricks at with his kicks. I wonder what they'll do for his next match up. Could he fight Rory?

I say give him Lawler next. He just destroyed the #2 and the champ has beat the #1 twice, so it makes sense to give him a shot. The way Lawler absorbs shots, I could see Wonderboy winning.
 

Zomp

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Aug 28, 2006
13,942
The Slums of Shaolin
The only reason I'm not sure if he's ready for Lawler is Hendricks is clearly not the same fighter he was after the iv changes. I honestly think Condit deserves a rematch but I know the UFC won't give the losing challenger a rematch. Maybe do Condit - Thompson? And Lawler - Rory again?
 

Infield Infidel

teaching korea american
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
11,463
Meeting Place, Canada
I'd be interested to see Thompson fight Rory or Condit since those are the only two top guys who have longer reach than Thompson, and Condit is taller as well. Hendricks and Ellenberger are both a lot shorter than Thompson and had trouble with his distance control. In the postfight presser Hendricks kept saying that he couldn't get close to him, and Thompson didn't punch when he thought he would, so Hendricks's timing was all off. I don't think Rory or Condit would be as troubled.

Here's a funny video of Thompson KO of Ellenberger
 
Last edited:

Infield Infidel

teaching korea american
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
11,463
Meeting Place, Canada
Also, I've watched at least 4 postfight pressers with Hendricks, and conceptually, he picks apart his performances in great detail. I've learned a bit listening to him. He's fascinating to listen to.
 
Last edited:

theapportioner

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 9, 2006
5,069
Thompson kind of reminds me of when Machida first burst onto the scene and beat people with his tricky timing from his karate training, and his southpaw stance. Thompson has a size and reach advantage over his opponents when Machida did not, but it was impressive seeing Hendricks have no clue what was coming next, or when and where. It's kind of like Machida before he got hit too many times in the head.
 

Phragle

wild card bitches
SoSH Member
Jan 1, 2009
13,154
Carmine's closet
Damn, I love Wonderboy's game. My worry for him was his takedown defense but once he defended Hendricks's first takedown, I was like "Thompson's got this." He's just a weird guy to fight. Stances, angles, movement, distance control, great at circling away from trouble.

Hendricks's best days may be behind him. He's been in some real wars and really wasn't in this fight. He may have just been uncomfortable though, styles make matchups
Come on. This was his first loss since losing the title.

I'd love to see Thompson get a title shot.
 

Infield Infidel

teaching korea american
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
11,463
Meeting Place, Canada
Like I said, I'm in two minds about it. On the one hand, he said in the presser that he couldn't get range or get comfortable. Everything was unexpected. He switched camps since his last fight, and while he expressly said that not an excuse, he said Thompson wasn't anything like his sparring, which tried to approximate Thompson's style.

On the other hand, he looked the worst I've ever seen him. The two Lawler fights were wars, the GSP fight wasn't easy, and he hasn't looked as good post IV. I'm a fan of Big Rigg so I'd be more than happy if he just had a bad camp.

There isn't anyone at 170 right now I don't like, it's a great division, solid pros, lots of styles, less jibberjabber
 
Last edited:

HurstSoGood

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 14, 2006
2,181
RIP Kevin Randleman. From ESPN.com:

EX-UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP RANDLEMAN DIES AT 44
Kevin "The Monster" Randleman, who won the UFC heavyweight title in 1999, died Thursday at 44. Randleman compiled a 17-16 record for UFC, PRIDE and Strikeforce, last fighting in 2011. Before MMA, he won two national championships in wrestling for Ohio State.​
 

luckiestman

Son of the Harpy
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
32,617
RIP Kevin Randleman. From ESPN.com:

EX-UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP RANDLEMAN DIES AT 44
Kevin "The Monster" Randleman, who won the UFC heavyweight title in 1999, died Thursday at 44. Randleman compiled a 17-16 record for UFC, PRIDE and Strikeforce, last fighting in 2011. Before MMA, he won two national championships in wrestling for Ohio State.​

Unbelievable. Jesus, I remember when he first jumped on the scene. What a freaky athlete. RIP Monster
 

HurstSoGood

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 14, 2006
2,181
This Bellator Co-Main is a disgrace. So bad I will not dignify the sport by typing their names. Horrible.
 

DanoooME

above replacement level
SoSH Member
Mar 16, 2008
19,831
Henderson, NV
Even John McCarthy was pissed he had to ref that fight. You could see it in his face.

Shamrock is about to get his ass handed to him, sorry to say.
 

Gunfighter 09

wants to be caribou ken
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2005
8,548
KPWT
And somehow Belabor found a way to stage a worse "fight".

I feel really bad for Benson Henderson.
 

EvilEmpire

paying for his sins
Moderator
SoSH Member
Apr 9, 2007
17,178
Washington
Sometimes you really do get what you pay for.

Nice seeing Guillard getting KTFO though. Didn't expect that to happen. At least not on the feet. Listening to Iron Mike was fun too.
 

Gunfighter 09

wants to be caribou ken
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2005
8,548
KPWT
Damn I love Donald Cerrone. Really nice win for Cowboy. I wonder if he is next for McGregor if he beats Dos Anchos. Cowboy vs Connor would be a fun fight with a spectacular build up.
 

Gunfighter 09

wants to be caribou ken
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2005
8,548
KPWT
Cerrone, coming off a two minute fight where he took no damage, would be the best fill. I bet we get Nate Diaz.
 

Infield Infidel

teaching korea american
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
11,463
Meeting Place, Canada
The only problem with Cerrone is that last fight was welterweight, he's probably around 180 today. Cutting to 155 is probably doable but in light of the MMA weight cutting issues cutting 25 lbs or more in 10 days might not be a good look. He's got a name, so does Diaz, but I'm kind of tired of McGregor fighting guys on short notice, it isn't really good, for fans and for him, to fight guys who didn't get a full camp. This is 4th time in 8 fights he's fought a replacement. There's a lot of money so they gotta do what they gotta do, it's not his fault, he's fights the guys they give him, but I'd rather they just move up the co-main. If it wasn't a shit card outside of the main and co-main they'd probably move up the co-main. This is kind of my problem with so many thin UFC cards, someone's bound to get hurt, and then they have to replace instead of move up, or else the card goes to complete shit. The only decent lightweights fighting in March/April are Nurmegomedov and he's coming off a bunch of injuries and hasn't fought in 2 years so who knows, or his opponent Tony Ferguson who isn't a big enough name IMHO
 
Last edited:

Gunfighter 09

wants to be caribou ken
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2005
8,548
KPWT
I'm an idiot, I forgot that Cowboy fought at 170 this week, I imagine Cerrone is game, but I don't want to see him do that. I want him to be in top shape when he fights Connor.

Ferguson or Khabib look like the obvious choices, but I can also see Pettis getting the nod. He has a big name and would be an interesting fight with McGregor. Of course, if Pettis has a chance, they probably have to give Eddie Alvarez right of first refusal, since he just beat Pettis. Alvarez would be a terrible match up for McGregor, and he is boring, so I imagine that isn't happening either. Joe Silva has to have a name in mind for this, so I imagine we will know soon. It is interesting how no one wants to fight McGregor at less than 100%.

Why not Frankie Edgar?
Frankie is only going to get one shot at Connor, so I imagine he will only take that shot at his preferred weight. With McGregor prepped to fight at 155, I don't think any of the 145s like Edgar or Faber are an option.
 

Phragle

wild card bitches
SoSH Member
Jan 1, 2009
13,154
Carmine's closet
MMA sucks

I can't think of anything that I love off the top of my head. I wouldn't be that eager to risk McGregor in a non-title fight
 

EvilEmpire

paying for his sins
Moderator
SoSH Member
Apr 9, 2007
17,178
Washington
MMA sucks
I wouldn't be that eager to risk McGregor in a non-title fight
Yeah, I don't see how they can do this at 155 for him. Too much risk of getting beat without the reward of a superfight payday and chance at another belt. Bad for the UFC. Bad for McGregor.
 

Gunfighter 09

wants to be caribou ken
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2005
8,548
KPWT
Which is why you feed him Nate Diaz. Incredibly entertaining, world class shit talking either way, and a comfortable win for Connor.
 

Gunfighter 09

wants to be caribou ken
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2005
8,548
KPWT
Bloody Elbow forwarding on reporting that Cowboy is in play:

One possible replacement option that would both save the main event and build on a current rivalry would be a match-up with Donald Cerrone. Although Cerrone is coming off of a fight this past weekend,he has spoken to the UFC about coming back quickly to fight on the UFC 196 card.

Dave Sholler‏@Sholler_UFC
Just spoke to @Cowboycerrone. He said he's happy to fly to London or Vegas next. Best part? He's serious...



Ariel Helwani confirmed that Cerrone's team is interested in stepping in for the injured dos Anjos.

Ariel HelwaniVerified account‏@arielhelwani
Spoke to Cerrone’s mgmt team this morning. They are interested in taking the fight. He’s on the shortlist, for sure.
And Donald Cerrone reporting that Cowboy is interested and training:

Cowboy CerroneVerified account‏@Cowboycerrone
" I know a guy " @ elevate PHW https://www.instagram.com/p/BCIys4zOfbM/
 

Gunfighter 09

wants to be caribou ken
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2005
8,548
KPWT
The only problem with Cerrone is that last fight was welterweight, he's probably around 180 today. Cutting to 155 is probably doable but in light of the MMA weight cutting issues cutting 25 lbs or more in 10 days might not be a good look.
Looks like you were pretty close, if this is right:

Brett Okamoto‏@bokamotoESPN
Confirmed RDA is off 196. Cerrone's manager says he's asked for it. He weighs 174. Would "get down as much as he could." That's one option.




How far up is Connor willing to go to catch weight?
 

Marciano490

Urological Expert
SoSH Member
Nov 4, 2007
62,312
Not much to add, but I love Cowboy. He's a true fighter. Old school. He's the dude who would've fought 3 times in a night.
 

Zomp

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Aug 28, 2006
13,942
The Slums of Shaolin
I don't think you can go Cerrone if he just fought at 170. No way you can go Edgar because McGregor has been training all this time for 155. I'd go Nate Diaz. Smart mouth and coming off of an impressive win.
 

Marciano490

Urological Expert
SoSH Member
Nov 4, 2007
62,312
I love Diaz and I think his reach could help him a lot. His problem would be that he tends to be a volume puncher, but achieves that volume by taking a lot of his punches so that he can just keep his arms out and his hands moving. McGregor seems like the type who would know how to get in and under those rangefinders and get to Diaz's chin, as he can be lazy bringing his hands back. The key would be to lull McGregor into a sense of security and then putting a lot of mustard on an uppercut as he comes in low.
 

Zomp

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Aug 28, 2006
13,942
The Slums of Shaolin
Actually I jumped the gun. Diaz trainer said they got it but someone else inside the camp said Diaz isn't getting paid enough to make weight in two weeks.
 

Rustjive

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 30, 2009
1,048
Actually I jumped the gun. Diaz trainer said they got it but someone else inside the camp said Diaz isn't getting paid enough to make weight in two weeks.
Solved by Diaz not having to make weight at all. Fight at 170, props to Conor who proves once again that he doesn't give a fuck, he's going to be there on fight night fighting whoever is put in front of him.
 

EvilEmpire

paying for his sins
Moderator
SoSH Member
Apr 9, 2007
17,178
Washington
Good on Conor. He's taking some risk. The brashness wore thin for me a long time ago, but the way he has walked the walk (for some time now) has mostly won me over. I say mostly only because I like Diaz and hope he whups Conor's ass.

I agree with GF09 and don't see that happening, but stranger things have happened in MMA. Conor must be thrilled about not dealing with the weight cut.