The UFC Discussion and Prediction Topic

[pawel7777]

The UFC 310 has been announced and it's looking good:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2024/10/12/dana-white-announces-huge-ufc-310-ppv-card-with-2-championship-fights/

Main event: Belal Muhammad Vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov
Co-main: Alexandre Pantoja Vs. Kai Asakura (this will be his UFC debut)
The rest of the main card:

Ciryl Gane   Vs. Alexander Volkov            
Movsar Evloev Vs. Aljamain Sterling            
Anthony Smith Vs. Dominick Reyes
Nick Diaz Vs. Vicente Luque

So looks like Shavkat is finally getting his title shot and won't be fighting Leon Edwards as some expected. The odds are not yet in but I'm sure he'll be the favourite.

[Zed0X]

Honestly, I didn't expect Belal to defend his title this soon. After all, it took him like forever to get a shot at it and he's willing to risk losing it just after a few months. Almost every fighter in the division is probably afraid of facing Shavkat and he has a record to prove why.

[Themepen]

The UFC 310 has been announced and it's looking good:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2024/10/12/dana-white-announces-huge-ufc-310-ppv-card-with-2-championship-fights/

Main event: Belal Muhammad Vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov
Co-main: Alexandre Pantoja Vs. Kai Asakura (this will be his UFC debut)
The rest of the main card:

Ciryl Gane   Vs. Alexander Volkov            
Movsar Evloev Vs. Aljamain Sterling            
Anthony Smith Vs. Dominick Reyes
Nick Diaz Vs. Vicente Luque

So looks like Shavkat is finally getting his title shot and won't be fighting Leon Edwards as some expected. The odds are not yet in but I'm sure he'll be the favourite.

UFC 310 fight card looks great led by Belal Muhammad vs Shavkat Rakhmonov for championship title. Rakhmonov deserves this chance after beating his previous opponents easily. I think he will be favored to win because of his excellent wrestling skills and constant attacks. Next biggest fight Pantoja vs Asakura features talented fighters. Other exciting matchups like Gane vs Volkov and Evloev vs Sterling make event even better.

Also Nick Diaz comeback against Vicente Luque is generating interest. Overall UFC 310 promises thrilling fights and important moments for fighters careers. Rakhmonov wants to win title and Muhammad experience makes their fight compelling. Other fights give fighters chances to show their skills.

[electronicash]

Honestly, I didn't expect Belal to defend his title this soon. After all, it took him like forever to get a shot at it and he's willing to risk losing it just after a few months. Almost every fighter in the division is probably afraid of facing Shavkat and he has a record to prove why.

poor Belal. his reign cut short. its his first defense fight yet it seem destined to already lose this belt. Rakhmonov is one heck of  fighter that can lift Belal slam down wherever he may want. UFFC 310 looks star studded and they have 2 HW to make sure we can witness a traumatic KO. what is interesting is Nick Diaz fighting once gain. i'm not sure if they could bring people in the arena but seem like the fight has no value to add in this event. 

Meanwhile, its Topuria's time to show he could defeat Holloway. UFC 308 is also a jam pack fight

[pawel7777]

OK guys, are we seriously not going to talk about the proposed 4-man BMF tournament? I don't think so.
Long story short, Dustin Poirier, who is looking for something spectacular before announcing his retirement, suggested a 4-man tournament for the BMF belt on the line, consisting of himself, Justn Gaethje, Max Holloway and Dan Hooker. That means the winner will have to fight 2 fights in one night.
When asked by a reporter, Dana said the idea "sounds fun". Whether he actually will go with it - I don't know, but I think there's a chance as people are craving for something new and exciting.

The concept of fighting tournaments where fighters fight multiple times in one night is not new, it was a popular format used e.g. by K1/Pride FC back in the day.

https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/10/dana-white-reacts-dustin-poirier-bmf-tournament-idea

Thoughts? Is this something you would like to see?

[electronicash]

OK guys, are we seriously not going to talk about the proposed 4-man BMF tournament? I don't think so.
Long story short, Dustin Poirier, who is looking for something spectacular before announcing his retirement, suggested a 4-man tournament for the BMF belt on the line, consisting of himself, Justn Gaethje, Max Holloway and Dan Hooker. That means the winner will have to fight 2 fights in one night.
When asked by a reporter, Dana said the idea "sounds fun". Whether he actually will go with it - I don't know, but I think there's a chance as people are craving for something new and exciting.

The concept of fighting tournaments where fighters fight multiple times in one night is not new, it was a popular format used e.g. by K1/Pride FC back in the day.

https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/10/dana-white-reacts-dustin-poirier-bmf-tournament-idea

Thoughts? Is this something you would like to see?

Dana may have said that but he doesn't really mean it. he is still thinking of how he could make money out of it. putting all these 4 BMF in one cage and rumble together would be fun but seem very unfair i think.

round robin would be a better option but this will postponed many UFC events.  close to a year i guess will have to be put on this event. i say let it be handled by the Saudi guy Turki Alalshikh.

[pawel7777]

Dana may have said that but he doesn't really mean it. he is still thinking of how he could make money out of it. putting all these 4 BMF in one cage and rumble together would be fun but seem very unfair i think.

I think he will probably give it a fair consideration, especially if Poirier refuses any other fight (which he might). The major thing that would get in the way is that Max Holloway is too hot and precious for the UFC to risk him in the tournament. And he's holding the BMF belt, so it can't be done without him.
But maybe if Max loses to Topuria, and if the money is right, he could go for it.
I would really like to see it happening.

[pawel7777]

Some news about McGregor - he allegedly announced his return on 1 Feb 2025 naming Dan Hooker as his rival, but Dan denies that saying he's not available to fight in February, due to his wife expecting to give birth around that time. So it looks like Conor is just making stuff up just to slow the pace his hype is dying out.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/31119580/conor-mcgregor-next-fight-date-dan-hooker-ufc-news/

[electronicash]

Dana may have said that but he doesn't really mean it. he is still thinking of how he could make money out of it. putting all these 4 BMF in one cage and rumble together would be fun but seem very unfair i think.

I think he will probably give it a fair consideration, especially if Poirier refuses any other fight (which he might). The major thing that would get in the way is that Max Holloway is too hot and precious for the UFC to risk him in the tournament. And he's holding the BMF belt, so it can't be done without him.
But maybe if Max loses to Topuria, and if the money is right, he could go for it.
I would really like to see it happening.

Max still is a BMF holder even if he loses against Topuria. a few rules for this BMF tournament and make it like a reality TV apart from that contender series i think the UFC fans will relight its interest in watching TV once again.

just like McGegor, Dana would love all these he always wants to be in the limelight all the time. it will be one of the best suggestion in UFC BMF belt, just a little importance of this belt i guess and make it like its worth.

[pawel7777]

The UFC 312 is confirmed to take place in Sydney in February. The cards are not yet known but Alex Volkanovski said he will likely be there and that he was promised a title shot, or even an interim title fight if the winner of Topuria/Holloway decides to move up.

https://bloodyelbow.com/2024/10/17/alexander-volkanovski-confirms-plan-to-fight-on-newly-announced-ufc-312-card-in-australia-suggests-interim-title-clash-with-diego-lopes/

We might also see Whittaker going against Du Plessis again, provided he wins with Khamzat, which he won't.

[electronicash]

The UFC 312 is confirmed to take place in Sydney in February. The cards are not yet known but Alex Volkanovski said he will likely be there and that he was promised a title shot, or even an interim title fight if the winner of Topuria/Holloway decides to move up.

https://bloodyelbow.com/2024/10/17/alexander-volkanovski-confirms-plan-to-fight-on-newly-announced-ufc-312-card-in-australia-suggests-interim-title-clash-with-diego-lopes/

We might also see Whittaker going against Du Plessis again, provided he wins with Khamzat, which he won't.

hard to see Whittaker win against Khamzat. unless backs out again then Whit can fight in AU but there are other big names that should come up such as Izzy and Strickland. the usual names in there like Tuivasa, from a country nearby.

but lets say Whittaker pulls it off against Khamzat, it will be a good show for Whittaker in AU while DDP the African Champ visits Izzy's country lol the press conference is a must watch.

[pawel7777]

hard to see Whittaker win against Khamzat.(...)

There are many opinions that Khamzat will gas out quickly and is not prepared for the 5 round and that he has never fought anyone at the level of Whittaker. I disagree, I think Khamzat is better in every aspect, be it striking or grappling. Probably he's cardio is better too, he was just going all out and wasn't saving any energy (i.e. in the Gilbert Burns fight).

If Whittaker loses, he'll probably still get a spot in the UFC 312 but obviously won't be fighting for the belt.

[enwi]

hard to see Whittaker win against Khamzat.(...)

There are many opinions that Khamzat will gas out quickly and is not prepared for the 5 round and that he has never fought anyone at the level of Whittaker. I disagree, I think Khamzat is better in every aspect, be it striking or grappling. Probably he's cardio is better too, he was just going all out and wasn't saving any energy (i.e. in the Gilbert Burns fight).

If Whittaker loses, he'll probably still get a spot in the UFC 312 but obviously won't be fighting for the belt.

Maybe there are times where Khamzat Chimaev will fade in the later rounds or might not be prepared for a five round fight, but as much as he brings that energy from the start it solidifies he has great striking and grappling skills. Khamzat is not going to back down and lay and brawl which has been seen even though his fights do not always last the distance. His bout with Gilbert Burns undoubtedly proved his resilience on his right and left as an offense. Even though Robert Whittaker is an experienced fighter with superior technique, that fight will be a challenge to both of them. If Whittaker wins, he may become a two-time champion and a stronger contender for the title Regardless, a loss would almost definitely make it harder for him to get another shot at the championship.

[electronicash]

hard to see Whittaker win against Khamzat.(...)

There are many opinions that Khamzat will gas out quickly and is not prepared for the 5 round and that he has never fought anyone at the level of Whittaker. I disagree, I think Khamzat is better in every aspect, be it striking or grappling. Probably he's cardio is better too, he was just going all out and wasn't saving any energy (i.e. in the Gilbert Burns fight).

If Whittaker loses, he'll probably still get a spot in the UFC 312 but obviously won't be fighting for the belt.

Maybe there are times where Khamzat Chimaev will fade in the later rounds or might not be prepared for a five round fight, but as much as he brings that energy from the start it solidifies he has great striking and grappling skills. Khamzat is not going to back down and lay and brawl which has been seen even though his fights do not always last the distance. His bout with Gilbert Burns undoubtedly proved his resilience on his right and left as an offense. Even though Robert Whittaker is an experienced fighter with superior technique, that fight will be a challenge to both of them. If Whittaker wins, he may become a two-time champion and a stronger contender for the title Regardless, a loss would almost definitely make it harder for him to get another shot at the championship.

Whittaker not getting another title shot is likely what will happen since Khamzat is one heck of a fighter but we'll see what will happen since he hasn't fought for awhile which it could be his first loss. we'll see what the odds will be when its listed on the bookies but the date is too far yet. Khamzat vs Burns had exposed Khamzat for having no gas to last but he still won that fight.

meanwhile Topuria vs Holloway will be next week's event. this one is a tough one, though i wanted to root for Topuria being the Spaniards fan but i'm holloway fan.

[Zed0X]

OK guys, are we seriously not going to talk about the proposed 4-man BMF tournament? I don't think so.
Long story short, Dustin Poirier, who is looking for something spectacular before announcing his retirement, suggested a 4-man tournament for the BMF belt on the line, consisting of himself, Justn Gaethje, Max Holloway and Dan Hooker. That means the winner will have to fight 2 fights in one night.
When asked by a reporter, Dana said the idea "sounds fun". Whether he actually will go with it - I don't know, but I think there's a chance as people are craving for something new and exciting.

The concept of fighting tournaments where fighters fight multiple times in one night is not new, it was a popular format used e.g. by K1/Pride FC back in the day.

Multiple fight in one night was also the format in the early days of the UFC when there were no rules and no weight division.

As to the BMF, it does look fun but I think this is more advantageous to Max. It might also need it's own Fight Night because the draw is more than enough to be the main event.