The UFC Discussion and Prediction Topic

[Zed0X]

Maybe it's time Walker should call it quits already after another loss via knockout. It will probably save him from more brain damage. It doesn't look like he has the chin to withstand punches from a true LHW. He will be remembered as someone with both highlight KOs and KOed

Easy work for Robert.

[pawel7777]

I think Pavlovich was the biggest disappointment of the night, with Walker being 2nd. He must've known he was losing the fight but either didn't bother or was just too gassed out to make a final push and go all out in the final round.
It was his first UFC fight that lasted longer than one round though, so maybe that was just a lack of experience in fighting full distance.

Shara Magomedov delivered big time in my opinion, despite the controversy of him grabbing the fence and avoiding takedown. He was fighting a much bigger guy with a decent record and pulled up a very entertaining performance finished by a KO. I think he might get a chance to fight someone from the top 15 next. But he could struggle if he's matched up against any wrestler.

[electronicash]

Maybe it's time Walker should call it quits already after another loss via knockout. It will probably save him from more brain damage. It doesn't look like he has the chin to withstand punches from a true LHW. He will be remembered as someone with both highlight KOs and KOed

Easy work for Robert.

they call him the real entertainer in UFC. he sometimes surprise the audience actually.  you can somehow just compare him to clay guida, their UFC career lasted longer for like 20 years.  johnny is natural born entertainer. could you resist someone who has this kind of personality? https://www.instagram.com/p/CsRlW-kgAXD/ 

i think everyone expected Pavlovich to deliver. the fights in HW is always ending in a KO especially Pavlovich who they think can beat Jones.

[pawel7777]

I wouldn't be retiring Walker just yet, he got badly KO'd and should take at least 6 months break, but he's only 32.
It wasn't his best fight, I'm not sure why he/his team decided not to utilise jabs at all, given his reach advantage, I think that would've been a good idea.
I think he's just not good enough to be matched up with the top fighters, but could act as a "gatekeeper", someone who prospective fighters have to defeat to be considered worthy to be in the top.
I think matching him up against Dominic Reyes next would be a good idea.

[electronicash]

I wouldn't be retiring Walker just yet, he got badly KO'd and should take at least 6 months break, but he's only 32.
It wasn't his best fight, I'm not sure why he/his team decided not to utilise jabs at all, given his reach advantage, I think that would've been a good idea.
I think he's just not good enough to be matched up with the top fighters, but could act as a "gatekeeper", someone who prospective fighters have to defeat to be considered worthy to be in the top.
I think matching him up against Dominic Reyes next would be a good idea.

and he has the punching power.
Walker will just accept anyone as long as he gets paid. if Dom Reyes as they say he is back, i think its also anther win for Reyes. he is great in boxing. in his fight against Jones, people favor him to win in the decision. i think i can can agree that Reyes won that fight too.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_303

Light Heavyweight   Alex Pereira (c)   vs.   Jiří Procházka            
Featherweight           Brian Ortega   vs.   Diego Lopes            
Light Heavyweight   Anthony Smith   vs.   Roman Dolidze            
Women's Bantamweight   Mayra Bueno Silva   vs.   Macy Chiasson            
Welterweight           Ian Machado Garry   vs.   Michael Page

Ian Garry to fight Venom.  this could be the first time Ian might lose. Page will climb taking  the slow pace to get the title, Bellator stole his prime but i think he could still take a belt before retiring.

[notblox1]

I am happy to see main event in UFC 303 is going to be Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka.
This has the potential to be one of the best UFC fights this year, both fighters have chances to win but it is always harder to defend the title than to win it.

I think matching him up against Dominic Reyes next would be a good idea.

I think Diminic Reyes is not the same after he lost against Jon Jones in 2020.
He won the last fight against Dustin Jacoby but I dont think he can repeat that performance again.
 

[Zed0X]

I think matching him up against Dominic Reyes next would be a good idea.

I think Diminic Reyes is not the same after he lost against Jon Jones in 2020.
He won the last fight against Dustin Jacoby but I dont think he can repeat that performance again.

I never thought of this match up before but I like the idea because both fighters can be considered in their decline. I doubt either of them could be fighting for the title for the rest of their career in the UFC but they can be the gatekeepers in the division.

If this happens, the fight will most likely not go the distance.

[pawel7777]

I am happy to see main event in UFC 303 is going to be Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka.
This has the potential to be one of the best UFC fights this year, both fighters have chances to win but it is always harder to defend the title than to win it.

I like watching Prochazka, as he's very entertaining, but his style of keeping his hands down and holding no guard could get him in real trouble against Pereira, again.

I think Diminic Reyes is not the same after he lost against Jon Jones in 2020.
He won the last fight against Dustin Jacoby but I dont think he can repeat that performance again.

I agree, but he deserves a chance to work his way back to the top. He suffered some bad KOs and had health issues, but he's finally back.
He has won his last fight, so deserves to fight someone above him, and, on the contrary, Walker suffered a loss, so might have to fight somebody ranked lower than him, so I think those 2 would be a good match-up.

[pawel7777]

If anyone is interested in what the Volkov Vs Pavlovich drama (discussion during the weight ins and the push after the fight), TopTort777 provided a nice breakdown of the situation:

As a Russian speaker, I will try to shed light on the situation between Volkov and Pavlovich. Your social media probably dont air that so much, but Russian buzz on it a lot lately.

1. They once agreed to never fight against each other, to never fight against other Russian. Or try maximum to avoid that. They also trained in each other camp and exchanged experience.
2. Pavlovich did not want to fight Volkov, because he was lower on top and victory wont give him anything.
3. Now interesting part: turns out there is a little number of tries, when you can skip your opponent, turns out that Volkov has run out of such tries and he was forced to accept any next opponent.
4. The manager told Volkov, that Pavlovich picked him, so he was forced to sign contract and fight.
5. Pavlovich was given several opponents (Volkov was among them), but he hasnt decided who to fight next.
6. Both fighter managers did not understand each other. One told that Pavlovich selected Volkov, even though he was on the list of opponents also. Other told that he cant cancel any opponent.

That is why during weight-ins, they had a talk why you pick me? Why you accepted to fight? And etc.

About that push after the fight. Pavlovich should not be excused for that, but he was disappointed he has lost, his nose was broken, he was tired, he did not wanted that fight, he has lost in rating, second loss in a row. Long story short, he wanted to spend time on his own, alone, but his opponent comes and bothers... Volkov said it right - Pavlovich needs to get more experience of loosing.

Long story short, it was managers misunderstanding, or they clashed Russians on purpose. Btw, Pavlovichs manager is Ali Abdelaziz, who has a controversial reputation.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5139347.msg64253421#msg64253421

[electronicash]

I am happy to see main event in UFC 303 is going to be Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka.
This has the potential to be one of the best UFC fights this year, both fighters have chances to win but it is always harder to defend the title than to win it.

I like watching Prochazka, as he's very entertaining, but his style of keeping his hands down and holding no guard could get him in real trouble against Pereira, again.

its even a wonder why Jiri got the 2nd shot despite the KO loss.  funny that Jiri says Pereira is consulting shamans for their fights, seem like they are pretty much believe all these.

If anyone is interested in what the Volkov Vs Pavlovich drama (discussion during the weight ins and the push after the fight), TopTort777 provided a nice breakdown of the situation:

As a Russian speaker, I will try to shed light on the situation between Volkov and Pavlovich. Your social media probably dont air that so much, but Russian buzz on it a lot lately.

1. They once agreed to never fight against each other, to never fight against other Russian. Or try maximum to avoid that. They also trained in each other camp and exchanged experience.
2. Pavlovich did not want to fight Volkov, because he was lower on top and victory wont give him anything.
3. Now interesting part: turns out there is a little number of tries, when you can skip your opponent, turns out that Volkov has run out of such tries and he was forced to accept any next opponent.
4. The manager told Volkov, that Pavlovich picked him, so he was forced to sign contract and fight.
5. Pavlovich was given several opponents (Volkov was among them), but he hasnt decided who to fight next.
6. Both fighter managers did not understand each other. One told that Pavlovich selected Volkov, even though he was on the list of opponents also. Other told that he cant cancel any opponent.

That is why during weight-ins, they had a talk why you pick me? Why you accepted to fight? And etc.

About that push after the fight. Pavlovich should not be excused for that, but he was disappointed he has lost, his nose was broken, he was tired, he did not wanted that fight, he has lost in rating, second loss in a row. Long story short, he wanted to spend time on his own, alone, but his opponent comes and bothers... Volkov said it right - Pavlovich needs to get more experience of loosing.

Long story short, it was managers misunderstanding, or they clashed Russians on purpose. Btw, Pavlovichs manager is Ali Abdelaziz, who has a controversial reputation.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5139347.msg64253421#msg64253421

they took it very personal when they build their career in fighting, just keep fighting after all they enjoy it and make money out of it.  but the number of refusal to fight seem to have apply only to them.  if those ranked fighters has limits, we should have seen big fights that should have happened already but i think the money they are to get from what the saudis can offer is more tempting.

[notblox1]

I agree, but he deserves a chance to work his way back to the top. He suffered some bad KOs and had health issues, but he's finally back.
He has won his last fight, so deserves to fight someone above him, and, on the contrary, Walker suffered a loss, so might have to fight somebody ranked lower than him, so I think those 2 would be a good match-up.

He deserves it, but I am not confident he can handle the new hard defeat mentally and physically.

If anyone is interested in what the Volkov Vs Pavlovich drama (discussion during the weight ins and the push after the fight), TopTort777 provided a nice breakdown of the situation

This is going to be interesting fight between two big heavyweights.
I know they didnt want to fight each other but UFC and Dana White maybe forced them to do it.
We know that Dana doesnt like when fighters refuse fights for any reason.

[LogitechMouse]

I am happy to see main event in UFC 303 is going to be Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka.
This has the potential to be one of the best UFC fights this year, both fighters have chances to win but it is always harder to defend the title than to win it.

I believe that their first fight was stopped way too early in favor of Pereira, so this is kind of a revenge fight for Prochazka.
Aside from the Holloway-Gaethje and Makachev-Poirier fight, this might also be a candidate for fight of the year. I mean both are very good boxers, and you don't see this match as a one-sided fight. Anything can happen, and one punch can change everything - like what Pereira did to Hill.

[electronicash]

I am happy to see main event in UFC 303 is going to be Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka.
This has the potential to be one of the best UFC fights this year, both fighters have chances to win but it is always harder to defend the title than to win it.

I believe that their first fight was stopped way too early in favor of Pereira, so this is kind of a revenge fight for Prochazka.
Aside from the Holloway-Gaethje and Makachev-Poirier fight, this might also be a candidate for fight of the year. I mean both are very good boxers, and you don't see this match as a one-sided fight. Anything can happen, and one punch can change everything - like what Pereira did to Hill.

if there is a voting for FOTY, winner most likely be BMF Holloway-Gaethje.

Alex winning or losing this fight, he might be going to the heavyweight after. he already ballooned himself, it must be a preparation after Jiri.
Jiri has the habit of dropping his hand though. once he does it, it will be a disaster again and it will only turn out his shaman is not as good as Alexs shaman.  and he couldn't just take down Alex as well for it will be more risky to expose himself in a closer distance.

[notblox1]

I like watching Prochazka, as he's very entertaining, but his style of keeping his hands down and holding no guard could get him in real trouble against Pereira, again.

Yeah, he is playing a risky game with that, but h is trying to set a trap for his opponents.
I don't think this trick will work with Pereira that is more complete fighter in my opinion.
I checked the odds and Pereira to win is not bad at all.


https://sportsbet.io/sports/event/mma/ufc/ufc-303-mc-gregor-vs-chandler/pereira-alex-vs-prochazka-jiri-666c15fdb14b9900015b480a

[pawel7777]

Yeah, he is playing a risky game with that, but h is trying to set a trap for his opponents.
I don't think this trick will work with Pereira that is more complete fighter in my opinion.
I checked the odds and Pereira to win is not bad at all.


https://sportsbet.io/sports/event/mma/ufc/ufc-303-mc-gregor-vs-chandler/pereira-alex-vs-prochazka-jiri-666c15fdb14b9900015b480a

Here are the odds for the entire main card:

Alex Pereira x1.73 vs. Jiří Procházka x2.12      
Brian Ortega x2.33 vs. Diego Lopes x1.66
Anthony Smith x2.20 vs. Roman Dolidze x1.67
Mayra Bueno Silva x1.86 vs. Macy Chiasson x1.94
Ian Machado Garry x1.73 vs. Michael Page x2.12

The main event looks promising but, as mentioned previously, I don't expect Jiri to win the belt back. But this is MMA, so anything is possible.
I find Garry insufferable so wouldn't mind seeing him getting KO'd. Page is probably technically better, but we already know oddsmakers tend to favour younger fighters.