The UFC Discussion and Prediction Topic

[pawel7777]

Only a few more days to the UFC 309.

After all the criticism he's facing from the fans for fighting Stipe instead of Aspinal, I'm almost certain he will want the fight to last at least 3 rounds.
Imagine if he were to finish Stipe in the first seconds  - he wouldn't get any praise for that, it would make him look pretty bad. There would be even more backlash for him beating a poor, retired old man who just wanted to earn his last bucks in the industry. It was Jones who pressed hard for this fight to happen, not the UFC.

Meanwhile, Tom posted a video response to Jon:

[electronicash]

Tom is scary in the cage so its not surprising while Jones been in decline and getting older while also very inactive. when Jones fought Dom Reyes, it was almost obvious he is already showing signs and many fans even considered Jones lost it. he was out boxed. if it was Aspinall's fist that landed his face, it would have been over already.

UFC didn;t make it easy for Tom. since he become part of UFC he been fighting toughest fighters in the beginning and giving the belt to Englishman might not be what in Dana's mind.

[Zed0X]

~
UFC didn;t make it easy for Tom. since he become part of UFC he been fighting toughest fighters in the beginning and giving the belt to Englishman might not be what in Dana's mind.

Yeah, the heavyweight situation is quite complicated. Perhaps Dana made a contract with both John and Stipe that they will settle their score first before giving Tom a real title fight. If this was any other champion, the belt would have been stripped of him and give to Tom already.

Now that Jones already announcing retirement after beating Stipe, it makes it even more complicated for Dana. I think that's Jon Jones asking for more money if he fights Tom.

[pawel7777]

~
UFC didn;t make it easy for Tom. since he become part of UFC he been fighting toughest fighters in the beginning and giving the belt to Englishman might not be what in Dana's mind.

Yeah, the heavyweight situation is quite complicated. Perhaps Dana made a contract with both John and Stipe that they will settle their score first before giving Tom a real title fight. If this was any other champion, the belt would have been stripped of him and give to Tom already.

Now that Jones already announcing retirement after beating Stipe, it makes it even more complicated for Dana. I think that's Jon Jones asking for more money if he fights Tom.

To be fair, just by looking at Jon during his interviews etc, it's clear that he's not the same guy he used to be. He sounds very low energy, like he lost his drive (or suffered a drop in testosterone). But maybe I'm getting the wrong impression. We'll be able to verify that this weekend.

The situation is not really complicated. The winner of Jones/Miocic will have to face Tom, and if they refuse, that would mean vacating the belt.
If Jones wants to fight Pereira, that's fine with me, but it won't be for the heavyweight belt, unless he defeats Tom first.

But yeah, without Jon, there won't be much excitement in the heavyweight. Tom could face Cyril next, which would be somewhat interesting, but that's pretty much it.

[Zed0X]

I don't know if it's rust or if he got scared after receiving all the heavy elbows in round 1, but Stipe looked flat. He's still tough after surviving the first round but I think it was only right that he retired after that. He's not beating Tom with a performance like that.

Kudos to Jon for consistently attacking the body that eventually sealed the fight. This is probably one of his most intelligent fights in recent years.

One of the best that came out of this is that he's probably planning one more fight before he hangs up. I'm looking forward to their (Dana/Jon) next announcement.

Yeah, his celebratory MAGA/Trump dance was also funny.

[electronicash]

I don't know if it's rust or if he got scared after receiving all the heavy elbows in round 1, but Stipe looked flat. He's still tough after surviving the first round but I think it was only right that he retired after that. He's not beating Tom with a performance like that.

Kudos to Jon for consistently attacking the body that eventually sealed the fight. This is probably one of his most intelligent fights in recent years.

One of the best that came out of this is that he's probably planning one more fight before he hangs up. I'm looking forward to their (Dana/Jon) next announcement.

Yeah, his celebratory MAGA/Trump dance was also funny.

they both look slow. but that spinning back kick is a finisher. i don't know why stipe wouldn't throw  straight when jones is definitely on the range. he just stands up in front of jones, flat foot.  all the rest in the main card ended in decisions besides the main event.

it feels like they rigged the UFC fights even the co main Micheal Chandler who just runs to escape Charles was obviously out boxed but Charles didn't push on to throw more of his hands while Micheal is right on the wall. he prefers to take him down. WTF?

[pawel7777]

Jones Vs Stipe - as expected. Some say Jones looked a bit slowish but I think he did really good. You could tell he wasn't rushing and wanted the fight to last for at least few rounds, if he was to step on the gas pedal early, he would've finished Stipe in rd 1. As for Stipe, to nobody's surprise, he isn't the guy he used to be. His age and long break took their toll. He had a great career and it was a dream last fight.

No official announcement as of yet, but from what Dana, Tom, and partially Jon all said post-fight, we will almost definitely see Jones Vs Aspinall next (unless Jones wants too much or decides to retire). And that's good news.

[electronicash]

Jones Vs Stipe - as expected. Some say Jones looked a bit slowish but I think he did really good. You could tell he wasn't rushing and wanted the fight to last for at least few rounds, if he was to step on the gas pedal early, he would've finished Stipe in rd 1. As for Stipe, to nobody's surprise, he isn't the guy he used to be. His age and long break took their toll. He had a great career and it was a dream last fight.

No official announcement as of yet, but from what Dana, Tom, and partially Jon all said post-fight, we will almost definitely see Jones Vs Aspinall next (unless Jones wants too much or decides to retire). And that's good news.

in the post fight interview, Jones says he wants to fight Pereira actually. he couldn't care about Tom having the interim belt, i think he will even gave up that HW belt just to fight Pereira. of course we all know Jon is ducking and people i think could guess its Dana's will. Jones isn't the one deciding all these.

stipe is old and slow, i couldn't help thinking Jones was still hit by the slow old man, how could he even think he wouldn't be hit by Pereira's left?

[Zed0X]

^ I think everything that Jones is saying right now is just a preparation to a deal and a message to Dana to offer a much higher number to the negotiating table. Nobody knows this better than Dana himself. DC also said that Jon isn't ducking anyone but this is his way of negotiating publicly.

[pawel7777]

Assuming Jon will stick to his word and not retire, he has only 2 options: fight Tom, as he should, or move back down to the light heavyweight to try to win his old belt back from Pereira. I don't think Pereira moving up to the heavyweight is a viable option, as Jones would have to vacate the belt which would make him look really bad and would reduce the prestige of such fight.

I hope they'll get things moving quickly and that we won't have to wait till the summer or later to see them in action. Tom is in his prime and should be fighting at least 2-3 times a year if his goal is to build a solid legacy. He has last fought in July and a year in between the fights is a long time.

[electronicash]

Assuming Jon will stick to his word and not retire, he has only 2 options: fight Tom, as he should, or move back down to the light heavyweight to try to win his old belt back from Pereira. I don't think Pereira moving up to the heavyweight is a viable option, as Jones would have to vacate the belt which would make him look really bad and would reduce the prestige of such fight.

I hope they'll get things moving quickly and that we won't have to wait till the summer or later to see them in action. Tom is in his prime and should be fighting at least 2-3 times a year if his goal is to build a solid legacy. He has last fought in July and a year in between the fights is a long time.

Pereira and Jones doesn't have time either. anytime of the year the doctor could pronounce both they have chronic traumatic encepathopathy   they got to be making the fight as soon as possible. it would be a big pay for Jones and Pereira if they can make the fight. jones wouldn't care fighting Tom anymore. he'd accepted that he is  duck. we all see that twitter picture on his profile he been posting.

next  min event is Yan vs Figue. looks like a competitive boxing match.

[pawel7777]

Pereira and Jones doesn't have time either. anytime of the year the doctor could pronounce both they have chronic traumatic encepathopathy   they got to be making the fight as soon as possible. it would be a big pay for Jones and Pereira if they can make the fight. jones wouldn't care fighting Tom anymore. he'd accepted that he is  duck. we all see that twitter picture on his profile he been posting.

I think Jones is just trolling and he will agree to fight Tom if the money is right. But who knows, maybe he's really afraid to retire with a loss. That's what he's saying in between the lines.

Anyhow, regarding the UFC 310 -  it's official now, Ian Garry will replace Belal Muhammad and will face Shavkat.
I think Shavkat Vs Garry is a decent match-up. Both are undefeated (18-0 and 15-0, respectively), one is considered one of the best prospects and material for a long-reigning champion, and the other is an insufferable cunt that everyone wants to see beaten. Will Shavkat give MMA fans what they want? Bookies seem to be thinking so, as he's a x1.30 favourite.

And I see Vicente Luque Vs Nick Diaz got cancelled, not sure why.

[pawel7777]

Everyone was focussed on Jones Vs Stipe, but what about Oliveira Vs Chandler?

It was a decent fight to watch and it kind of went as expected.

Chandler is a great example that the showmanship and an entertaining factor can take you further in the UFC than actual results. Many of his fights are what I call victorious losses, despite the negative outcome, he's remembered in a positive light. i.e. most fans will only remember Chandler slamming Oliveira twice at the end of the fight forgetting about his loss.

He now lost 4 out of his last 5 fights (only winning a total of 2 in the UFC) but even after the last loss he will still be highly valued. He's ranked 7th at the moment and I don't think they will match him up with anyone ranked below him. I'll be guessing he'll be fighting again with either Dan Hooker or Justin Gaethje. Chandler Vs either of them would guarantee a good show.

[electronicash]

he still in the card, good for Shavkat. Belal thought he could deny that chance.

Everyone was focussed on Jones Vs Stipe, but what about Oliveira Vs Chandler?

It was a decent fight to watch and it kind of went as expected.

Chandler is a great example that the showmanship and an entertaining factor can take you further in the UFC than actual results. Many of his fights are what I call victorious losses, despite the negative outcome, he's remembered in a positive light. i.e. most fans will only remember Chandler slamming Oliveira twice at the end of the fight forgetting about his loss.

He now lost 4 out of his last 5 fights (only winning a total of 2 in the UFC) but even after the last loss he will still be highly valued. He's ranked 7th at the moment and I don't think they will match him up with anyone ranked below him. I'll be guessing he'll be fighting again with either Dan Hooker or Justin Gaethje. Chandler Vs either of them would guarantee a good show.

it should have been an easy fight for Charles, we can see in the first few rounds Chandler could have been knockout an a career ending way but Charles didn't consider it that way but choose to find a way to choke him. someone whispers in Charles ears to take it easy and just give him the last round for the audience to hope he may win. but obviously Chandler is not going to make it. Dana still has plans for him i guess.

[pawel7777]

(...) but obviously Chandler is not going to make it. Dana still has plans for him i guess.

Chandler is 38 and will be 39 in April next year. So realistically he has maybe like 2-3 fights left in him before retiring or going the Tony Ferguson way. That's why I think they could match him up either against Hooker or Gaethje, none of whom has a shot at the belt, both prefer striking which would guarantee a good show and likely a KO, and Chandler would have a chance of winning against any of them which could keep him staying high in the ranks for his final fights.