2018 MMA/UFC

Zomp

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The thing about Ngannou is there is no book on him yet. Does he get gassed? Flustered? Frustrated? Nobody knows. Stipe is a great boxer but I do wonder if he's going to try and take him down. Alistair did with no luck then abandoned his game plan and got ktfo. I love me some Stipe, probably my favorite fighter but Ngannou is an incredible story as well. I'm just happy the heavyweight division finally has a title fight of two prime fighters since Cain and Werdum went at it.

I think you can definitely say 2017 was a down year in compared to 2016. Conor McGregor didn't fight, the women's division doesn't have the star power that it did when Rousey was leading the charge (though I think a nice rivalry between Joanna and Namajunas would be great), and a few of the divisions were held up by injuries.

GSP vacated the belt so at UFC 221 you'll have champ Robert Whittaker vs Luke Rockhold. I am a fan of Rockhold's game, he has excellent jiu jitsu, incredible kicking, and decent boxing. Whittaker though is one of the best strikers in the UFC and I was a bit concerned at how much damage Rockhold took in his fight against David Branch. He's always fought with a hands down and head up style but if he does that I think Whittaker retains.

Pound for pound number 1 Demetrious Johnson is still going strong with eleven title defenses. His hardest test will be coming up soon if the rumored super fight with TJ Dillishaw happens. Dillishaw showed TREMENDOUS stones after getting outclassed in the first round against Garbrandt, coming from behind and knocking him out in the second round. If the fight happens I have Dillishaw as the favorite but like the fight against Garbrandt it will be a showcase of two of the most skillful fighters in the world.

Woodley's last two fights against Wonderboy were super boring so I'd expect him to either fight GSP or Dos Anjos next. Tyron is obviously angling for a fight with GSP to cash in on a big pay day but nobody knows when he'll return so I think a fight with RDA is more likely. Aside from the title fights I actually think this is the third worse division right now behind flyweight and light heavyweight. Robbie Lawler hasn't looked the same since his wars with Rory Macdonald and nobody is paying to see Damien Maia fight. The guy I'd look at to make a big splash would be Darren Till. He made Cerrone look terrible and is a big welterweight whose striking is excellent.

DC fights Volkan Ozdemir in the semi main event at 220. Stanger things have happened but I think Cormier is a strong favorite. He and the suspended Jon Jones look to be a cut above the rest.

The bantamweight division is probably on hold until TJ fights Johnson, but Dominick Cruz, Cody Garbrandt, and Jimmie Rivera would all be worthy of title shots.

In the FW division, Max Holloway has come into his own and is clearly the best fighter in the division. His ability to adjust to his opponent mid fight is very impressive and his long reach helps him keep at a comfortable distance while picking opponents apart. It doesn't hurt that his cardio is tremendous as well as seen in the two Aldo fights. Frankie Edgar can beat anyone on their day though and his next match up with the champ should be one to watch. Keep an eye out for undefeated Brian Ortega as well.

IMO the best division right now is lightweight. You have Conor who should be coming back, interim champ and all around weirdo Tony Ferguson, bear wrestling undefeated Khabib Nurmagamedov, Eddie Alvarez who looked fantastic against the psycho Justin Gaethje (who basically wants to trade headshots until someone can't stand), the super athletic Kevin Lee, Nate Diaz, Barbosa, etc... That is a murderers row of fights who are all basically in their prime. The top three stand out right now and I actually think Tony beats Khabib, Khabib beats Conor, and Conor beats Tony. Regardless this division is a lot of fun.
 

EvilEmpire

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Not fighter related, but former Bellator color commentator Jimmy Smith just signed with the UFC. Like many, I've been a fan of his work for a long time. He's going to be great in the UFC.

On a related note, John McCarthy signed up to do color commentary for Bellator. I'm interested to see how that works out. I've heard snippets here and there from McCarthy explaining different elements of refereeing and providing his perspective on fights and have appreciated them. Don't know how that will translate, but it could be interesting.
 

MikeM

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Not fighter related, but former Bellator color commentator Jimmy Smith just signed with the UFC. Like many, I've been a fan of his work for a long time. He's going to be great in the UFC.
Just saw this. Big blow to Bellator imo and basically their UFC equivalent to losing Rogan.
 

Infield Infidel

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Whittaker is out of UFC 221; Rockhold will fight Romero for the interim title. Sucks but should still be a good fight.

Jimmy smith was on Rogan's podcast last week and there were a lot of hints that this was going to happen. It's also kind of Bellator's fault because they had a 2018 option on Smith's previous contract and they ripped it up to go for a long term deal that Smith wasn't happy with.
 

luckiestman

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Only seen highlight of the challenger. Can he stop a good takedown?

Edit: I'm taking Stipe
 

Gunfighter 09

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Damn, I love DC. What a badass.

Yeah, I have no idea if Francis has any answer to Stipe going chest to chest for five rounds. I'm picking Stipe.
 

Gunfighter 09

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That first round of the heavyweight fight was incredible.

It seems like they had the announcers telegraph the UFC's next move at the end:

Stipe vs Cain, and if Cain can't go DC takes the shot at being a two belt champ.
 

djbayko

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So both co-main fights went the way they almost always do - experience beats raw power.
He's a fucking animal, the shit he does given how he looks is so odd. He almost threw Barnett out of the cage in Strike Force.
It's really weird. He's short and always looks like he's out of shape, but he owns the ring. DC inside the distance was the only fight I put money on tonight, as a pretty sure thing. I figured Stipe would probably win too but there was a chance that he might get clipped in the first couple minutes.

I did love how Ngannou raised his hands at the end of the fight, after getting wrestle-fucked for 20 minutes.
 

luckiestman

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One thing about Ngannou, I didn’t know his chin was that good. Stipe cracked him a few times and he took it well. It sapped his energy a bit but I was impressed.
 

Gunfighter 09

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Violently swinging arms that look like they weigh 60 pounds each can't be too great for the stamina either.

I think there is a cap on how effective you can be carrying that much muscle (clean) in MMA if someone is going to make you grapple.
 

Infield Infidel

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Stipe and Ngannou showed crazy good chins last night. I also let out a big "WOW" after Stipe's last takedown in the first round, when he just straight lifted Ngannou off the mat near the edge of the cage. No charge or anything, just from a standstill. He continues to impress.
 

MikeM

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Bellator had a pretty entertaining night too.

Chandler was a beast with that G&P, and props to MacDonald for stepping up to take that title fight down a leg. Was also rather surprised to see Chael show up in as good of shape as he did.
 

EvilEmpire

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Romero missed weight for the interim MW title against Rockhold. Disappointing. Presumably the fight goes on and Rockhold gets the interim title if he wins.
 

luckiestman

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Romero missed weight for the interim MW title against Rockhold. Disappointing. Presumably the fight goes on and Rockhold gets the interim title if he wins.

That sucks. Still excited for the fight but Ogun needs to do better.


 

Infield Infidel

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One of the worst foul non-calls I've seen. Jake Matthews attempting a guillotine and Li Jinliang gouged Matthews's eye with two fingers from each hand. It would have been done otherwise and the ref didn't even call time or even break them up.
 

luckiestman

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That last shot Ogun hit Rockhold with was uncomfortable. No for gay Jesus indeed.

Ogun said “don’t forget Jesus”. Well, that’s his story, anyway.

I hate that this fight was in Australia and that Yoel missed weight. Otherwise it was good.
 

Gunfighter 09

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Seeing how Stipe and DC are already tied up.... I would be very interested in seeing Brock vs Francis:



I am also fascinated to watch the Edgar vs Ortega fight this Saturday, I have no idea how that one is going to go. Frankie has a history of dominating young up and comers, Ortega has a history of easily submitting other accomplished black belts. It should be fun.
 

Zomp

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Yair Rodriguez had similar hype to Ortega when Edgar dominated him, but Ortega is a different fighter. I get that his jiu jitsu is some of the best in the world but I can't see Frankie getting into a position where he gets caught. I'll say Frankie wins a dominating decision.
 

luckiestman

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Yair Rodriguez had similar hype to Ortega when Edgar dominated him, but Ortega is a different fighter. I get that his jiu jitsu is some of the best in the world but I can't see Frankie getting into a position where he gets caught. I'll say Frankie wins a dominating decision.


I love both guys. Edgar is no slouch when it comes to BJJ. I don’t even know if Ortega would beat Frankie in a straight BJJ match. Ortega could get lucky, a finisher always can.
 

Gunfighter 09

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I can't think of a match I am more excited for than Max vs. Ortega. I feel horrible for Frankie, though. As Max pointed out on twitter, Frankie didn't need to take this fight, he could have waited to face Holloway once he was healthy, but he did the company a solid for $500K and now might not see another title shot.
 

Phragle

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Watching Rogan and Schaub live and they've been talking for five minutes about a "theoretical" CM Punk and Mayweather fight. Lot of wink wink and hints that it's not that crazy. They're either fucking with us or the UFC is in complete circus mode now.
 

EvilEmpire

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I was just catching up on the UFC recaps from the London fights. Don't have fightpass. If anyone saw it, could they please explain how the fuck Paul Craig locked in and got a submission tap in under 10 seconds before the bell?

I read it, but still can't picture it. I'm not sure I would believe it if I saw it in a movie. I know luckiestman is a bjj guy and I'm sure there are others around: can cutting off the air and/or blood really have that fast of an effect?

I enjoy watching MMA, but I'm ignorant. I'm curious how close that guy could have been to going out. Understanding of course that this is all pure speculation.
 

luckiestman

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I was just catching up on the UFC recaps from the London fights. Don't have fightpass. If anyone saw it, could they please explain how the fuck Paul Craig locked in and got a submission tap in under 10 seconds before the bell?

I read it, but still can't picture it. I'm not sure I would believe it if I saw it in a movie. I know luckiestman is a bjj guy and I'm sure there are others around: can cutting off the air and/or blood really have that fast of an effect?

I enjoy watching MMA, but I'm ignorant. I'm curious how close that guy could have been to going out. Understanding of course that this is all pure speculation.


I just looked at a highlight on twitter @ufc . I don’t think the guy should have tapped. He must not have known the time. He should have bit down on his mouthpiece and risked going out.

He definitely could have gone out. Blood chokes can hit fast. These chokes are almost always blood chokes if you ever wondered about that.

If you were wearing a gi top (something with a collar) and just wanted to feel a choke, meaning you don’t resist, you will tap in less than 2 seconds for sure and almost certainly be out in 4.

 

luckiestman

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Go to about 1:10 of this video and watch the guy’s face when Renzo starts choking him. Renzo will point out that he has a really shitty grip with his left hand and the Uke still wants to tap almost instantly.

 

Marciano490

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Always wondered what that feeling was like. I don’t actually wanna know, but I’m curious.
 

Phragle

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Always wondered what that feeling was like. I don’t actually wanna know, but I’m curious.
You haven't been choked? It's not that scary in a controlled setting. Things get dark and then you pass out. No pain. Luckiestman prob got tapped 10 times yesterday in his "wrestling like sport"


Also shout out to the UFC for having a card with 0 promotion and wasn't on TV. If you don't know there was a card in London yesterday. Spoiler alert:
Edit: spoiler tags don't work no more?
 
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