The UFC Discussion and Prediction Topic

[electronicash]

these fight cancellations are not coincidences, they are really having difficulties in matching up fighters, i think its time UFC really partner with few promotions like the BKFC, Bellator and PFL to mandate fighters otherwise, they just sit on their asses and keep their rank.

Chandler is the only fighter that lost in this card, no replacement lol i thought Max will be called. Smith seem a tough guy to have accepted this but i think they know the cancellation already weeks ago. the first time Conor did not appear on the presscon.

[pawel7777]

Chimaev is for me a very good fighter but seems he is not in a good shape and condition right now. Actually I am a fan of this guy and of course Khabib as well since they are more smart good striker and having awesome grappling skills

Chimaev is very entertaining to watch, but it looks like his momentum was wasted by inactivity. He only fought once in 2023. I'm not sure was it due to health problems, or was it the UFC's decision. If he was active, he could be holding a belt by now.
I don't know what's going on with him right now, all was told is that he is "violently ill" with no further details.
I'm hoping to see him fight soon. Pausing for another 6 months or so would be a waste.

Chandler is the only fighter that lost in this card, no replacement lol i thought Max will be called. Smith seem a tough guy to have accepted this but i think they know the cancellation already weeks ago. the first time Conor did not appear on the presscon.

I believe Max will be matched against Topuria for his next fight, as there are no other worthy opponents for Topuria. So pairing Max against Chandler would be super inconvenient for the UFC. Plus, Max is at his peak hype right now, so might not have been happy with a "fill a gap" role.
From Chandler's perspective, he's probably still hoping that the McGregor fight will happen. McGregor is a perfect match for him: a huge payday + Chandler is a favourite to win (some bookies disagree, but we all know the truth), and he's desperate for a win right now.

[electronicash]

I believe Max will be matched against Topuria for his next fight, as there are no other worthy opponents for Topuria. So pairing Max against Chandler would be super inconvenient for the UFC. Plus, Max is at his peak hype right now, so might not have been happy with a "fill a gap" role.
From Chandler's perspective, he's probably still hoping that the McGregor fight will happen. McGregor is a perfect match for him: a huge payday + Chandler is a favourite to win (some bookies disagree, but we all know the truth), and he's desperate for a win right now.

Chandler wasted years for this fight and then just cancelled. 2 years taken from him without making money out of it.  He still rank in the LW despite not fighting for 2 years though.  UFC has nothing for him anymore which i think he might retire along with this dream fight.

Ikram  Aliskerov they say will replace Khamzat by the way. UFC already is introducing the new gen in every division to stir those fighters who kept refusing to fight.

[pawel7777]

Chandler wasted years for this fight and then just cancelled. 2 years taken from him without making money out of it.  He still rank in the LW despite not fighting for 2 years though.  UFC has nothing for him anymore which i think he might retire along with this dream fight.

Ikram  Aliskerov they say will replace Khamzat by the way. UFC already is introducing the new gen in every division to stir those fighters who kept refusing to fight.

I don't think Chandler should be removed from the ranking. It's not like he refused to fight or anything. He was just patiently waiting for the fight the UFC themselves offered him. No need to kick him when he's down.

Aliskerov represents a similar style to Chimaev and his only loss was to Khamzat himself. If I remember it right, it was a good fight. If Aliskerov has a better cardio than Khamzat, he might go much further in his career. Winning against Whittaker would be a huge one for him. Whittaker is a slight favourite though.

[Zed0X]

~
UFC already is introducing the new gen in every division to stir those fighters who kept refusing to fight.

As they should. So many fighters are trying to follow the path that Connor started but 99% of them couldn't not generate the numbers that he draws every time he fights. Really, gone are the days when most champs just fight whoever is in offered in front of them.

[pawel7777]

Really, gone are the days when most champs just fight whoever is in offered in front of them.

I think Islam Makhachev might be an exemption from this rule. Maybe not to a degree when he would agree to fight a total no-name, but he did pressure UFC to let he fight 3 times a year and because of him the fight with Dustin have happened.

But most of the fighters get an absolute peanuts on their way to the top, so when they finally get there, they want to squeeze as much out of it as possible.

[electronicash]

Really, gone are the days when most champs just fight whoever is in offered in front of them.

I think Islam Makhachev might be an exemption from this rule. Maybe not to a degree when he would agree to fight a total no-name, but he did pressure UFC to let he fight 3 times a year and because of him the fight with Dustin have happened.

But most of the fighters get an absolute peanuts on their way to the top, so when they finally get there, they want to squeeze as much out of it as possible.

there are exceptional fighters like Poatan. but just in his recent tweet, he also requested to rest after this Jiri vs Alex 2.

but majority are just sitting on their rank and not even trying to go move on the next weight class since they have no fight anymore.
this is why the Saudi is saving boxing and most probably UFC is the sport gain more followers in the region. they slowly taking over actually, as they gradually moving away from oil dependence.  there are fights that don't happen in boxing unless there is a huge pay.

[pawel7777]

this is why the Saudi is saving boxing and most probably UFC is the sport gain more followers in the region. they slowly taking over actually, as they gradually moving away from oil dependence.  there are fights that don't happen in boxing unless there is a huge pay.

You can't compete with Saudis.
While the UFC/Dana White are profit-driven, Saudis can pocket out huge amounts of money without caring whether or not they make any return on investment.
Will that approach make them less dependent on oil? I don't think so. But I appreciate they make great things happen.

[electronicash]

this is why the Saudi is saving boxing and most probably UFC is the sport gain more followers in the region. they slowly taking over actually, as they gradually moving away from oil dependence.  there are fights that don't happen in boxing unless there is a huge pay.

You can't compete with Saudis.
While the UFC/Dana White are profit-driven, Saudis can pocket out huge amounts of money without caring whether or not they make any return on investment.
Will that approach make them less dependent on oil? I don't think so. But I appreciate they make great things happen.

nope they are just diversifying their source of money, they have sponsorship done actually even the big star in sports attend those boxing event because they mandate them to go to the event.

they are starting to run the show.  the Day Of Reckoning made fights possible for they are receiving huge pay.  and the they are also into football already which usually is held in their country. athletes getting huge pay, make things happen and at the same time, it makes their tourism economy larger.

if fighters just sits on their rank without fighting, they don't make money and they aged over time which fighters are also waiting for it to happen. the new ones are just beating the old men. Chandler vs Conor is a fair fight, they are both old but probably the numbers didn't hit the target.

[pawel7777]

Adesanya is back after his career break to fight Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight belt at the UFC 305 on 18th August.
I'm really happy to see this fight announced, it was long overdue.

I'll be rooting for Dricus but think Izzy will have the advantage. Bookies seem to agree. The current odds:
Adesanya: x1.63
DPP: x2.28

[pawel7777]

As for the Aliskerov Vs. Whittaker this aturday, who do you guys would be betting on? Whittaker is bookies favourite but I disagree. Aliskerov is not even ranked in the top 15 yet, accepted the fight on a short notice, but defeating Robert will be a fast-track to the top, so I'm sure he'll take it seriously. In terms of skills, he seems very well-rounded. But maybe I'm overrating him just because he's from Dagestan.

[electronicash]

As for the Aliskerov Vs. Whittaker this aturday, who do you guys would be betting on? Whittaker is bookies favourite but I disagree. Aliskerov is not even ranked in the top 15 yet, accepted the fight on a short notice, but defeating Robert will be a fast-track to the top, so I'm sure he'll take it seriously. In terms of skills, he seems very well-rounded. But maybe I'm overrating him just because he's from Dagestan.

Whittaker already prepared for the Khamzat. and Aliskerov is not very different in terms of skills and strength.  if Whittaker will just be playing safer, he could win this one even by decision or if the guy gets exhausted after a few rounds, Rob can already charge to KO him.

the trend in UFC though is that they are bringing the new talents on top and the UFC match makers are simply looking for the fighter who can topple the ones from the top. The Japanese Taira just did it last week, Aliskerov can potentially bring Rob down and win by KO. we'll just find out.

[Zed0X]

Big respect to Rob for accepting the replacement fight but I personally think he shouldn't have to because he has more to lose in this. If he was offered more purse than the Chimaev fight, then all good. If not, then I hope he still wins and my bet is still on him

[pawel7777]

Big respect to Rob for accepting the replacement fight but I personally think he shouldn't have to because he has more to lose in this. If he was offered more purse than the Chimaev fight, then all good. If not, then I hope he still wins and my bet is still on him

I've no idea on how much Robert will be getting paid for it, but it's possible that he'll get the same amount as if he was fighting against Khamzat, but very unlikely he'll get more.
As electronicash mentioned above, it should be much easier for Whittaker, as he was preparing for Chimaev, representing similar style. Aliskerov accepted the fight on a very short notice, so even if he kept himself in good shape, he didn't have much time to train specifically for Whittaker.
But even if Rob happens to lose, I don't think he'll drop below the top 5. And it's not like he was to get a title shot anytime soon. I think Strickland will get it next.

[pawel7777]

The main card for tomorrow's event:


Any final predictions?

My picks:

Aliskerov
Pavlovich
Rodriguez
Magomedov
Walker

I believe Aliskerov will not waste his chance.