MMA & UFC General - Featuring Bellator MMA & Rizin Fighting Federation

[naffatune]

Yan basically gave the first round up on volume while also doing good enough work to the leg and body to have an effect later on. Dude was throwing some wild shit out there as well THAT WORKED. It's usually a bad idea to do spinning back fists and spinning heel kicks, and we have never seen him really do it before, but he got it to work.

The stats on this fight are something. 445 strikes thrown by Sandhagen to Yan's 270, only 37% of them landed. Yan landed at a 55% clip, and those shots really stuck out over the pitter patter of Sandhagen's in terms of impact and damage done. The man is just a machine.

You mentioned Volkanovski being your prior "best fighter in the UFC", that is a fight I would like to see between them. They were pre covid times training partners at Tiger Muay Thai.

Close to a year ago, I explained how boxing was the best martial art in terms of practicality. I still believe this. However, at the time, I started arguing in a long-winded, idiotic way when I shifted my attention towards setups, tactics and timing when explaining how boxing worked without realizing that all of those things were just applications of technique, and if the technique sucks, the tactics won't matter (e.g. you could time a slap to the face as a guy is moving forward, but it won't do shit).

Petr Yan basically proves that technique is the foundation on which champions are built, because it isn't done for it's own sake. It's done for max efficiency. In the past, I liked watching Dom Cruz, Barboza and Zabit because of how flashy they were with either their footwork or kicks. Over time though, I gradually began to appreciate a tight 5-punch combo more than a good spin kick or backfist.

Yan is real special in my book because although he doesn't shy away from spin attacks, he can only make doing things like that possible through continuous application of tried-and-true basics. Even Sandy had to abandon spinning things so he could box with Yan. He also failed to land his knees because Yan pulled off flashy techniques of his own called "stepping back" and "blocking".

And yeah, Volk vs Yan is feasible and could be a FOTY; it's a fight that i'm the most interested in now that you brought it up. Volk is kind of undersized for his division, so him going down to fight the bantams will be reasonable. Also, I don't see any of the bantams beating Yan, anyway.

Where does Sean O Malley fit into all of this?

Probably in a dumpster, because that's where he finds his opponents.

 

[Slimy Time]

In all seriousness, he seems like an exceptional striker and a good prospect but I don't know if he can compete with the top 5 especially with Petr Yan. He's probably one of the fastest fighters in the division but so many things are still in question(leg strength,chin wrestling etc). A lot of people like to talk about the Chito fight but he was winning until his leg gave out and he got out of the clinch pretty easily which is where Chito excels. I think he's going to beat Paiva but he could be winning for two and a half rounds until his leg suddenly snaps and the fight is stopped.

Winning against Chito in round 1 is almost meaningless because the man is a well known slow starter. Lost round 1 against Grant Davis just because. Man started to give Aldo some issues in the 2nd round after losing round 1, which led to Aldo just riding him around like a backpack for the entirety of round 3.

O'Malley has talent but he's getting the MVP treatment and being fed cans and washed fighters to beat. Even dickhead Dillashaw saw through what the UFC was doing, giving him the Conor treatment of favourable matchups when possible and putting him through the hype machine. Gave him Terrion Ware, Andre Soukhamthath and Jose Quinonez, who are all not in the UFC anymore and have journeyman like records. Eddie Wineland, who is old and past it. Gave him a step up against Chito which he lost. Then he gets a shot Almeida who stylistically is a good matchup, then Louis Smolka, an ex flyweight, who couldn't make it so they gave him regional can Kris Moutinho.

The dude is the definition of a can crusher. 8 fights in at 7-1 he should be ranked and fighting up, but isn't. Now he's fighting Paiva, who is a step up, but also a former Flyweight, and yet he's calling out top competition as if he has any business being there with those guys.

Close to a year ago, I explained how boxing was the best martial art in terms of practicality. I still believe this. However, at the time, I started arguing in a long-winded, idiotic way when I shifted my attention towards setups, tactics and timing when explaining how boxing worked without realizing that all of those things were just applications of technique, and if the technique sucks, the tactics won't matter (e.g. you could time a slap to the face as a guy is moving forward, but it won't do shit).

Petr Yan basically proves that technique is the foundation on which champions are built, because it isn't done for it's own sake. It's done for max efficiency. In the past, I liked watching Dom Cruz, Barboza and Zabit because of how flashy they were with either their footwork or kicks. Over time though, I gradually began to appreciate a tight 5-punch combo more than a good spin kick or backfist.

Yan is real special in my book because although he doesn't shy away from spin attacks, he can only make doing things like that possible through continuous application of tried-and-true basics. Even Sandy had to abandon spinning things so he could box with Yan. He also failed to land his knees because Yan pulled off flashy techniques of his own called "stepping back" and "blocking".

And yeah, Volk vs Yan is feasible and could be a FOTY; it's a fight that i'm the most interested in now that you brought it up. Volk is kind of undersized for his division, so him going down to fight the bantams will be reasonable. Also, I don't see any of the bantams beating Yan, anyway.



Probably in a dumpster, because that's where he finds his opponents.

In the new UFC countdown (fucking weird considering we just had a PPV), they showed clips of Whitman coaching Usman in the corner that we didn't see before across all fights with him, as well as training footage. Emphasised more than anything "fundamental technique" over everything else, especially in the 2nd Masvidal fight. Saw footage telling Usman "you are not desperate, fundamentals, 1-2, get the angle etc". And it worked. Basic boxing foundational technique won him a fight against a much more seasoned striker, and I think you are right. Having that clear, masterful foundation above everything is so important, and Yan has the boxing fundimental techniques to a tee, which then allows him to do all the flashy shit later.

Reminds me of some footage of Adesanya, Brad Riddell and their teammate Carlos Ulberg visiting the US because Carlos was fighting in the Contender series. They watched Hall vs Silva, and both commented that Hall was trying flashy shit with no success because "he felt like it". Needed to use the basics to pull that stuff off well. Same thing that Yan does masterfully.

 

[naffatune]

Perhaps the most telegraphed kick I've seen in a while.

 

[Slimy Time]

Perhaps the most telegraphed kick I've seen in a while.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=NnP2OkvEhAk

Didn't even have the range for it. Amazing.

We somehow have another UFC not a week after the last one. Don't think it's going to be as good as last week, especially Yan-Sandhagen. Pulling for Usman to win. IDK about Rose-Weili, especially when you consider how poor Rose's leg kick defence is (something like 6 kicks in that one minute fight against Weili), Gaethje just because he seems to be the better striker and has powerful low kicks against Chandler, who is known for struggling against those.

IDK, just doesn't seem as compelling as last week and is heavily reliant on people hoping that Usman and Colby will put on a banger, and that Colby has worked on things in the gym while avoiding fights (as opposed to potentially having a large confedence hit and refusing to fight anyone other than a layup against Woodley). Thoughts?

 

[Swiss46]

Thoughts?

I hope Usman vs Colby is another great fight, but it's not guaranteed. Usman probably wins. Rose vs the hopes and dreams of a Chinese market is interesting I guess. I hope Rose wins again so the UFC has to scramble to force another Chinese star. I'm really just wanting to watch Gaethje do Gaethje things.

 

[JamusActimus]

Rose-Weili, especially when you consider how poor Rose's leg kick defence is (something like 6 kicks in that one minute fight against Weili),

A heavy hands enjoyer I see

 

[Slimy Time]

A heavy hands enjoyer I see

That and just watching the fight, it seemed like Weili was winning the exchanges until she got murked.

Look at how red Rose's leg and body looks. That can't be good if it goes 5 rounds.

Meanwhile, to sum up the press conference.

 

[GallicWarDog]

Didn't even have the range for it. Amazing.

We somehow have another UFC not a week after the last one. Don't think it's going to be as good as last week, especially Yan-Sandhagen. Pulling for Usman to win. IDK about Rose-Weili, especially when you consider how poor Rose's leg kick defence is (something like 6 kicks in that one minute fight against Weili), Gaethje just because he seems to be the better striker and has powerful low kicks against Chandler, who is known for struggling against those.

IDK, just doesn't seem as compelling as last week and is heavily reliant on people hoping that Usman and Colby will put on a banger, and that Colby has worked on things in the gym while avoiding fights (as opposed to potentially having a large confedence hit and refusing to fight anyone other than a layup against Woodley). Thoughts?

Didn't even have the range for it. Amazing.

We somehow have another UFC not a week after the last one. Don't think it's going to be as good as last week, especially Yan-Sandhagen. Pulling for Usman to win. IDK about Rose-Weili, especially when you consider how poor Rose's leg kick defence is (something like 6 kicks in that one minute fight against Weili), Gaethje just because he seems to be the better striker and has powerful low kicks against Chandler, who is known for struggling against those.

IDK, just doesn't seem as compelling as last week and is heavily reliant on people hoping that Usman and Colby will put on a banger, and that Colby has worked on things in the gym while avoiding fights (as opposed to potentially having a large confedence hit and refusing to fight anyone other than a layup against Woodley). Thoughts?

People seem to ignore that Kamaru has had some moments that easily could have ended his run, most notably the shot he took from Durinho. Obviously everyone has a punchers chance and Covington isn't the same as a slowing Masvidal when it comes to boxing ability. However Colby is more of a decision winner as well which he earns through wrestling control. I don't really see how he gets it done without a sneaky sub or a nice clean shot. Usman does seem like he might be buying into his own hype though which might make him an easier opponent.

 

[Slimy Time]

People seem to ignore that Kamaru has had some moments that easily could have ended his run, most notably the shot he took from Durinho. Obviously everyone has a punchers chance and Covington isn't the same as a slowing Masvidal when it comes to boxing ability. However Colby is more of a decision winner as well which he earns through wrestling control. I don't really see how he gets it done without a sneaky sub or a nice clean shot. Usman does seem like he might be buying into his own hype though which might make him an easier opponent.

I like how in the trailers for their fight they keep playing Colby landing a spinning backfist, because it is his sole knockdown (not knockout, knockdown) in his career. The dude just has no power. Even if you argue that he's a volume guy over power, it's still not great.

 

[JamusActimus]

I like how in the trailers for their fight they keep playing Colby landing a spinning backfist, because it is his sole knockdown (not knockout, knockdown) in his career. The dude just has no power

When I started watching MMA in 2019 and saw some highlights of Covington , I thought Colby was a chad beast and that he would win most of his future fights by spinning backfist

 

[GallicWarDog]

I like how in the trailers for their fight they keep playing Colby landing a spinning backfist, because it is his sole knockdown (not knockout, knockdown) in his career. The dude just has no power. Even if you argue that he's a volume guy over power, it's still not great.

Do you think the WW is a particularly weak division? It often seems like one but maybe just because certain guys just rip straight through (Luque, Usman).

 

[naffatune]

I think it's worth reminding you all again that today is going to be the most packed day you're going to have as a combat sports fan.

 

[JamusActimus]

I think it's worth reminding you all again that today is going to be the most packed day you're going to have as a combat sports fan.

View attachment 2694209

View attachment 2694210

imo the best poster in a very long time

 

[Slimy Time]

imo the best poster in a very long time

Crossing fingers for an Usman victory.

Do you think the WW is a particularly weak division? It often seems like one but maybe just because certain guys just rip straight through (Luque, Usman).

It's stagnant. None of the guys at the top of the division do shit, or when they do it takes a hell of a long time for it to come about. They have almost the exact same top 5 guys since Usman won the title, minus Woodley. They keep giving undeserved rematches to guys like Masvidal and Colby because they talk and are a draw.

I think one of the reasons Khamzat is getting such a massive push is to inject some form of life into the top of the division. It appears weak because no one does anything to sort out who really is at the top of the division, and who really is worthy of fighting Usman. It's also the reason why I hope Colby loses. Dude has held up the division for the last year, fuck him.

Mind you, Middleweight is weak, probably the worst of them all. It has 2 all time great fighters in Adesanya and Whittaker, and then the rest is just not up to snuff. Vettori, for as much as I like him for dealing with Costa's bullshit and winning, is the number 2 guy in the division. He could probably beat a lot of the guys below him, but no way do I see him beating either Whittaker or Adesanya. MW is also stalled to an extent, primarily because the people Adesanya wants to fight, like Till or Cannonier, can't beat Whittaker to take his number 1 spot, so they have to run around looking for guys like Vettori, or give Adesanya a 2nd belt shot to pass the time. It is a sorting itself out now with Brunson and Cannonier fighting in Jan, and Izzy and Rob fighting in Feb.

LHW is in a transition period with the old guard like Glover and Jan having their spotlight moment before the likes of Jiri, Rakic and Ankalaev come up. That division at least is moving somewhat with Jones gone. Kinda the same deal with Heavyweight, with the likes of Gane and Aspinall slowly climbing. Those divisions seem to be getting better than MW and WW.

 

[Hollywood Hulk Hogan]

Do you think the WW is a particularly weak division? It often seems like one but maybe just because certain guys just rip straight through (Luque, Usman).

I think middleweight is a very weak division right now. A legit wrestler would wreck Adesanya imo.

 

[Slimy Time]

I think middleweight is a very weak division right now. A legit wrestler would wreck Adesanya imo.

It's the worst. It is Adesanya, Whittaker, then a large gap, and then everyone else. When Brunson is "the wrestler" of the division, you know it's fucked. Dude still runs with his chin flying sky high asking to get knocked out.

Also, Women's Flyweight and Bantamweight don't count. Those are basically just there to stick Nunes or Shevchenko on a card.

Welterweight is weak because of faggots like Colby and Masvidal pushing for rematches and refusing to take fights to properly settle who is top dog. Remember, the selling point of this event is "look how close their first fight was", not "look at how Colby has beaten everyone else". Edwards also doesn't want to fight anyone in the top, so they keep giving him fights like Diaz to boost him to contender status, then he fucks up.

 

[GallicWarDog]

It's the worst. It is Adesanya, Whittaker, then a large gap, and then everyone else. When Brunson is "the wrestler" of the division, you know it's fucked. Dude still runs with his chin flying sky high asking to get knocked out.

Also, Women's Flyweight and Bantamweight don't count. Those are basically just there to stick Nunes or Shevchenko on a card.

Welterweight is weak because of faggots like Colby and Masvidal pushing for rematches and refusing to take fights to properly settle who is top dog. Remember, the selling point of this event is "look how close their first fight was", not "look at how Colby has beaten everyone else". Edwards also doesn't want to fight anyone in the top, so they keep giving him fights like Diaz to boost him to contender status, then he fucks up.

Yeah middleweigt is pretty fucking rough, Dan Hardy explained that Izzy is and easy double leg when he does his matrix leanback and it would be awesome to see him get taken down that way like with Jan. Look at how much of a problem Gastelum was for Izzy even with his tiny arms and horrible decisions in the fight (wtf was that takedown attempt when he had Izzy rocked?).

 

[Hollywood Hulk Hogan]

It's the worst. It is Adesanya, Whittaker, then a large gap, and then everyone else. When Brunson is "the wrestler" of the division, you know it's fucked. Dude still runs with his chin flying sky high asking to get knocked out.

Also, Women's Flyweight and Bantamweight don't count. Those are basically just there to stick Nunes or Shevchenko on a card.

Welterweight is weak because of faggots like Colby and Masvidal pushing for rematches and refusing to take fights to properly settle who is top dog. Remember, the selling point of this event is "look how close their first fight was", not "look at how Colby has beaten everyone else". Edwards also doesn't want to fight anyone in the top, so they keep giving him fights like Diaz to boost him to contender status, then he fucks up.

Colby shouldn't even get a rematch yet. He beat a washed up Woodley but no one else. He should get a #1 contender fight or something, sure, but these rematches are getting insane.

Zhang shouldn't get a rematch, either. Esparza is boring as fuck but she deserves the shot.

 

[Slimy Time]

Yeah middleweigt is pretty fucking rough, Dan Hardy explained that Izzy is and easy double leg when he does his matrix leanback and it would be awesome to see him get taken down that way like with Jan. Look at how much of a problem Gastelum was for Izzy even with his tiny arms and horrible decisions in the fight (wtf was that takedown attempt when he had Izzy rocked?).

Middleweight more or less is filled with people who do one thing well, and that's it. Gastelum more or less runs in with the 1-2, Brunson is about getting that body lock and taking the opponent down, but fights with his chin in the air. Till flaps his hands around and then throws the left really quickly, Costa out muscles and hits to the body hard, and Vettori pressures and walks through shots. Even Izzy is pretty much limited to very high level standup and flat out refused to engage with Vettori on the ground (in contrast to teammate Volkanovski, who challenged Ortega on the ground, even at his own risk).

Only person who breaks the mold, and only sometimes does it, is Whittaker, who is one of the best all rounders there is. Izzy fights Jan, and has to deal with someone who has a multi layered approach, and he couldn't deal with it. He can do takedowns, he can counterstrike etc. He's shit off his back, but that's not an issue with Izzy.

I can't think of anyone really who would be able to have competent standup and be able to take Izzy down the same way. Maybe Whittaker, but even that's a doubt.

Colby shouldn't even get a rematch yet. He beat a washed up Woodley but no one else. He should get a #1 contender fight or something, sure, but these rematches are getting insane.

Zhang shouldn't get a rematch, either. Esparza is boring as fuck but she deserves the shot.

This is the problem with Welterweight at the moment. How can the most active top end fighter be the champ? Colby and Masvidal did nothing but bank on star power to get several belt shots. Edwards wants the shot as the rank 3 guy, but doesn't until now want to risk fighting a top 5 guy (and even then, Masvidal isn't a top 5 guy, just someone linked to two title fights). It's also pretty clear that the UFC don't want him fighting for the belt with the number of lower ranked guys they give him.

Burns wants to fight everyone except teammate Luque, which means he really doesn't fight anyone except Wonderboy. Luque is stuck taking matches with guys like Chiesa. That division should have round robined itself already and the top guy made clear.

Colby is especially guilty of this, and that's probably because he's had a massive hit to his confidence losing that fight. And no, I don't care that he's some MAGA larper, dude is holding up the division. If he loses (and I hope he does) I hope they boot him down several rankings.

 

[Hollywood Hulk Hogan]

Middleweight more or less is filled with people who do one thing well, and that's it. Gastelum more or less runs in with the 1-2, Brunson is about getting that body lock and taking the opponent down, but fights with his chin in the air. Till flaps his hands around and then throws the left really quickly, Costa out muscles and hits to the body hard, and Vettori pressures and walks through shots. Even Izzy is pretty much limited to very high level standup and flat out refused to engage with Vettori on the ground (in contrast to teammate Volkanovski, who challenged Ortega on the ground, even at his own risk).

Only person who breaks the mold, and only sometimes does it, is Whittaker, who is one of the best all rounders there is. Izzy fights Jan, and has to deal with someone who has a multi layered approach, and he couldn't deal with it. He can do takedowns, he can counterstrike etc. He's shit off his back, but that's not an issue with Izzy.

I can't think of anyone really who would be able to have competent standup and be able to take Izzy down the same way. Maybe Whittaker, but even that's a doubt.

Imo, the one who would be a complete disaster for Adesanya would be a prime Weidman.