UFC/MMA in 2017

Infield Infidel

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Big news is the new unified rules on judging and fouls. A few states voted against accepting some or all of the new rules. (New Jersey, Ohio, Missouri, Colorado, Virginia, Maryland, and South Dakota all voted not to adopt the new ABC rules in full.)

New Scoring System
  • 10-10 round to be scored for a completely even fight
  • 10-9 to be scored for marginal round win for one fighter
  • 10-8 to be scored when there is a large margin between fighters at the end of a round
  • 10-7 to be scored when there is overwhelming damage and domination in a round
  • Success in grappling and striking exchanges to determine winner of rounds
    Quality of strikes rather than volume to be given more emphasis
    Control of grappling exchanges given emphasis in grappling-dominated fights
Fouls

HEEL KICKS TO KIDNEYS
  • Heel kicks from the guard to the kidneys are no longer a foul
  • Referees to pay special attention that heel kicks are not hitting the spine
  • Heel kicks from guard to opponent’s legs, buttocks and back and remain legal
GRABBING CLAVICLE
Grabbing the clavicle is no longer deemed a foul by the new unified rules of MMA
EXTENDING FINGERS TOWARD OPPONENT
  • Fighters extending fingers out and towards opponents’ faces will be warned by referees
  • Action can be stopped for referees to warn fouling fighter. Fighters can also be warned without stoppage
  • After being warned several times, if fighter continues to foul referees can stop action and take points
  • Fighters can also be disqualified for repeated fouling with extended fingers towards opponents’ faces
GROUNDED FIGHTER
  • Fighters are only determined to be grounded when they have both hands, as well as feet on the ground
  • Fighters with a single hand on the ground can now be kicked or kneed in the face
  • A single hand placed on the canvas can be stomped as fighter is not grounded
 
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MikeM

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Sad to see that Cody has decided to take a page from Woodley's book, and insert himself as yet another fresh off winning the belt champion who wants to lose a lot of potential fan support before even making his first title defense.

Claiming Dillashaw "doesn't make sense" from a PPV buys standpoint, when you are not a serious draw in your own right atm, does nothing but hurt you there kid.
 

Vinho Tinto

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Claiming Dillashaw "doesn't make sense" from a PPV buys standpoint, when you are not a serious draw in your own right atm, does nothing but hurt you there kid.
I wonder how much his comments are rooted in the bad blood between TAM and Dillashaw.
 

Phragle

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Seems like Conor - Mayweather has entered into a real thing category. I wish Floyd would agree to rules that Conor would give Conor a change but it seems like that won't happen
 

MikeM

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Seems like Conor - Mayweather has entered into a real thing category. I wish Floyd would agree to rules that Conor would give Conor a change but it seems like that won't happen
I can't see it happening. Too much ego there with Mayweather to agree on reasonable $$ terms, and the overall potential "win" factor just isn't there from the UFC perspective for them to really push past that. Dana isn't stupid...the fight itself is probably going to suck and the odds of Connor winning a pure boxing match are slim. One extended and no future upside payday isn't worth the negative hit in the aftermath.

BJ Penn tonight, who was actually looking to be in decent shape at the weigh ins.
 

luckiestman

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Watching Penn take that beating, that was hard to watch. Back in the day, Jesus, it won't even make sense now...back in the day, this guy was like a myth from Hawaii. You have to understand, the way we communicated was with chat rooms and sending video tapes in the mail. We kept hearing about this kid from Hawaii who was training at Ralph's (Ralph Gracie's gym in San Jose). Then BJ (Baby Jay) goes to Brazil and wins the fucking Mundials (most prestigious bjj tournament) at Black Belt. Then, I mean there is no way this guy is going to live up to the hype right? Wrong, he gets to the UFC in 2001, and oh by the way, we used to have to listen to this shit audio only on something called pal talk because the UFC was only on satellite (this is called the dark ages in mma circles), and BJ starts knocking motherfuckers out WHAT? It was amazing. I mean, I don't know what to say, to see him go out there plodding around and getting crane kicked by some TKD guy, that was awful.

I know BJ talked a lot of shit over the years hyping fights so he doesnt have as many fans as he should, but he is such an important figure in american BJJ and MMA. Sad!
 

MikeM

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How is Yair Rodriguez 145?! He looks 170. BJ getting rocked
I was thinking the same thing. He looked huge. Although despite Cormier's best attempt to hype the hell out of him, I'd still like to see how the kid does in ranked fight against real threat. BJ (sadly) looked more like a deer caught in the headlights.

If BJ fights again I can't see it being in the UFC.
 

Infield Infidel

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Watching Penn take that beating, that was hard to watch. Back in the day, Jesus, it won't even make sense now...back in the day, this guy was like a myth from Hawaii. You have to understand, the way we communicated was with chat rooms and sending video tapes in the mail. We kept hearing about this kid from Hawaii who was training at Ralph's (Ralph Gracie's gym in San Jose). Then BJ (Baby Jay) goes to Brazil and wins the fucking Mundials (most prestigious bjj tournament) at Black Belt. Then, I mean there is no way this guy is going to live up to the hype right? Wrong, he gets to the UFC in 2001, and oh by the way, we used to have to listen to this shit audio only on something called pal talk because the UFC was only on satellite (this is called the dark ages in mma circles), and BJ starts knocking motherfuckers out WHAT? It was amazing. I mean, I don't know what to say, to see him go out there plodding around and getting crane kicked by some TKD guy, that was awful.

I know BJ talked a lot of shit over the years hyping fights so he doesnt have as many fans as he should, but he is such an important figure in american BJJ and MMA. Sad!
This is an amazing story, thanks for posting. I didn't start really following until 2007 when I lived in Hawaii and by then BJ was a legend and beyond huge in the islands. It was easy to get hooked on the sport there.
 

Vinho Tinto

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I know BJ talked a lot of shit over the years hyping fights so he doesnt have as many fans as he should, but he is such an important figure in american BJJ and MMA. Sad!
Hard to believe that he was about to go into a massive tailspin after his dismantling of Diego Sanchez. Looking back, the fight Gods did him a disservice with the KO of Matt Hughes and an undeserved draw vs Fitch. May have thought he had gas in the tank when it was just reaching E.

The list of guys he fought is an honor roll of the best fighters between 145 and 170 over the last 15 years. If I could redo one of his and the UFC's decisions, it would have been to skip the rematch with GSP (Who was at the top of his game and likely cooking with gas) and take on one of the WEC featherweights stars at that time (Urijah or Aldo). This is strictly from a competitive point of view as UFC 94 was a big financial success.
 

luckiestman

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Hard to believe that he was about to go into a massive tailspin after his dismantling of Diego Sanchez. Looking back, the fight Gods did him a disservice with the KO of Matt Hughes and an undeserved draw vs Fitch. May have thought he had gas in the tank when it was just reaching E.

The list of guys he fought is an honor roll of the best fighters between 145 and 170 over the last 15 years. If I could redo one of his and the UFC's decisions, it would have been to skip the rematch with GSP (Who was at the top of his game and likely cooking with gas) and take on one of the WEC featherweights stars at that time (Urijah or Aldo). This is strictly from a competitive point of view as UFC 94 was a big financial success.

He should have never fought GSP, you're right about that.

You follow MMA and are from Fall River area, right? Did you know Don Banville
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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He's apparently a really great guy. I know Lauzon feels indebted to him and has said great things about him.

Unfortunately, legends gotta hang em up, too.
 

Vinho Tinto

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He should have never fought GSP, you're right about that.

You follow MMA and are from Fall River area, right? Did you know Don Banville
I grew up in western Mass. Don't know Don.

I did see Gabriel Gonzaga at my town's Portuguese fest one year I think he's since moved to Worcester area. Heard from people in town that he's a great guy.
 

Marciano490

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Fighters are some of the best people I know. Truly.

VT - did you know Manny Lopes?
 

luckiestman

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I grew up in western Mass. Don't know Don.

I did see Gabriel Gonzaga at my town's Portuguese fest one year I think he's since moved to Worcester area. Heard from people in town that he's a great guy.

I know some of Gonzagas students but don't know him. He's well liked.
 

MikeM

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First Cody and now Woodley. Neither can stfu and stop saying the wrong things long enough post-champion status for me to development any type of positive attachment.
 

MikeM

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Took Chael tonight at -200.

Not that I love Chael or anything...but it is Tito. That and I really like both football games tomorrow.
 

luckiestman

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Took Chael tonight at -200.

Not that I love Chael or anything...but it is Tito. That and I really like both football games tomorrow.

Another fight I don't want to watch, but here I am. Love both these guys for diffferent reasons
 

luckiestman

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It's funny, I was at the gym this morning and we were talking about this fight. We all figured Chael would win but I told the guys that Tito was way better at bjj than they might realize.
 

MikeM

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Not that i like losing the bet, but I'm both happy and sad for Tito there. Happy because I'm a much bigger overall fan of Tito then I ever was of Chael, but sad because now he won't end up walking away after that. Which he really needs to.
 

luckiestman

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I fucking died when Tito beat Bohlander in like UFC 19 or something and put on a shirt that said something like:

I just fucked your ass

I hope he never fights again, good way to go out

Edit: correction, UFC 19 was "Gay Mezger is My Bitch"

UFC 18 was the Bohlander fight
 
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luckiestman

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If it was fixed, Tito didn't know, no way is he that good of an actor.

Maybe Chael dropped some dollars on Tito.
 

Vinho Tinto

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If it was fixed, Tito didn't know, no way is he that good of an actor.
A Cro Cop fight in PRIDE was a work and he didn't know it. Which is great when you see his over the top celebration.

I thought Sonnen looked slow when they were standing up. The headlock looked uncomfortable, but didn't expect him to tap. Only he knows if he took a dive. I tried to pick up what Big John said to Tito at the end. Tito's apology was audible. I assume it was for not breaking the hold when John called the fight. Tito is a MMA legend and drew big numbers, but it's shit like that why he hasn't been missed in the UFC.

The Ralek Gracie fight was horrendous. Can't remember seeing a ref halfway thru stop the fighters and remind that they were there to fight.
 

luckiestman

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Did you think much of that choke and the defense of it? I didn't

I don't know what was going on on the right side of Sonnen's neck. A lot of dudes quit by giving up their back without the fight being fixed though. That's sort of the No Mas of MMA.

The most likely thing is Sonnen thought he was going to take down and beat up a washed up Tito and when things went sideways he gave up

Coker might have fixed it but I don't see the angle.
 

DanoooME

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The Ralek Gracie fight was horrendous. Can't remember seeing a ref halfway thru stop the fighters and remind that they were there to fight.
I was going to call that the worst fight I've ever seen (I really haven't seen that many), but I saw Kimbo vs Dada last year.
 

Phragle

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Francis Ngannou is the best prospect we've see at HW for what feels like forever.

I was disappointed in the Cowboy fight. He shouldn't have taken it, but it seems like he just doesn't care about the belt that much. Having said that, Masvidal is going to be a problem for everyone at 170.

Cowboy is just too small for 170. I'd like to see him add some muscle and take some more time between fights, but I guess that's just not Cowboy. Or, what I'd really like to see is two divisions in between 155 and 185 instead of one. I think having a 165 and 175 class would be awesome.
 

djbayko

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As a novice follower of the sport and someone who's working on developing an eye...that was a really fun card to watch. Ngannou and Masvidal really impressed.
 

djbayko

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Anyone watching UFC Fight Night 104 tonight?

Adam Milstead simply didn't belong in the same ring as Curtis Blaydes. It was a little uncomfortable to watch.
 

Marciano490

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What're the odds at this point McG and Floyd fight? Is 30% too optimistic.
 

Phragle

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Just finished 208. I don't know how a hard shot clearly after the horn isn't a point deduction. Also what is the point of 145 pound ladies? The beast got popped again so IDK why she's smiling or even why she's even there.

Also Jacare is a fucking savage and he keeps proving it.
 

MikeM

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Dana chalked it up to having non-experienced refs doing the fight that should have never been appointed in the first place. Although the late shots at least provided something interesting to talk about post-fight. The interest in Holm was already on life support and nobody will ever give a shit about Randamie.

Not a shocker in my book that Brunson wasn't getting that close call over Anderson Silva either.
 

djbayko

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Just finished 208. I don't know how a hard shot clearly after the horn isn't a point deduction. Also what is the point of 145 pound ladies? The beast got popped again so IDK why she's smiling or even why she's even there.

Also Jacare is a fucking savage and he keeps proving it.
I was upset after the first shot, but then there were TWO MORE after the next bell. And then you could hear the ref telling her "if you do that again, I'm going to have to take a point away." What the hell?

Inexperienced ref? I'll say. I'm a novice MMA fan, and even I know you can't let that fly. It's common sense.

The thing is, I really respected GdR's style. Holm couldn't get anything on her most of the fight. But those shots and the acting after the bell made her really easy to dislike.
 

djbayko

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Yes, Jacare is a beast.

The Poirier / Miller fight was epic.

The Silva decision was laughable.

And I can't wait to see that scrawny Japanese Eminem fight again.
 

Infield Infidel

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I was upset after the first shot, but then there were TWO MORE after the next bell. And then you could hear the ref telling her "if you do that again, I'm going to have to take a point away." What the hell?

Inexperienced ref? I'll say. I'm a novice MMA fan, and even I know you can't let that fly. It's common sense.

The thing is, I really respected GdR's style. Holm couldn't get anything on her most of the fight. But those shots and the acting after the bell made her really easy to dislike.
I watched MMA Hour yesterday, and they talked about this. Helwani said the ref made two errors. First, the fighters are instructed to fight until the referee intervenes. The bell doesn't stop the round, the ref does. At the ten second clack, the ref is supposed to get into position close enough to intervene at the bell, and have a running count for the last ten seconds so they can jump in to break them up. This ref was too far away and too slow.

Second, he failed to warn De Randmie after the first late punch. Punches after the bell but before the ref intervenes are viewed less harshly than if the fighter punches around the ref, but he still should have given a warning. Without the warning the first time, and again not getting into position to intervene fast enough, he couldn't take a point since it was his fault for not intervening fast enough.
 
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djbayko

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I watched MMA Hour yesterday, and they talked about this. Helwani said the ref made two errors. First, the fighters are instructed to fight until the referee intervenes. The bell doesn't stop the round, the ref does. At the ten second clack, the ref is supposed to get into position close enough to intervene at the bell, and have a running count for the last ten seconds so they can jump in to break them up. This ref was too far away and too slow.

Second, he failed to warn De Randmie after the first late punch. Punches after the bell but before the ref intervenes are viewed less harshly than if the fighter punches around the ref, but he still should have given a warning. Without the warning the first time, and again not getting into position to intervene fast enough, he couldn't take a point since it was his fault for not intervening fast enough.
I think there's a difference between perceived norms - what MMA Hour is talking about - and the actual rules:
  1. UFC rules clearly state that "Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the round" is a foul. There is nothing in the rules that states the ref's actions replace the sound of the bell. He may have screwed up his duties as a ref by not intervening in time, but that doesn't remove responsibility from GdR for committing the foul.
  2. There is nothing in the rules that states a ref must give a warning before deducting a point - in fact, the word "warning" never makes an appearance. Even disqualification can be immediate if the foul is deemed flagrant. Okay, maybe the first punch was accidental. But the 2nd and 3rd punches? Accidental or not, warning or no warning, you've lost benefit of the doubt in my mind. Somehow, all other fighters in the league are able to respect the bell and restrain themselves, even though they're all "in the heat of the moment".
At least everyone agrees that the ref sucked.
 
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