MMA/UFC Discussion Thread MMA • Page 604

it's all about who has improved more and I haven't seen nearly as much improvement from Colby as I have with Usman

 

and get ready for Colby and Masvidal because it's coming

 

Winner gets to be besties with Trump

 

Saw a tweet that said that since Usman/Colby was a classic back-and-forth and Weili/Rose was a quick finish, they'll probably be the opposite this time. I think I agree with that.

Rose/Weili is tough for me. The first fight was so quick that I don't automatically pick Rose to get it done again, but also, I don't know just how much getting KO'ed will affect Weili's performance (for better or worse). Anticipating a 5-rounder though.

Usman/Colby I think will be a decisive victory for Usman. His hands have only gotten better, and it seemed like the power differential is what gave him the edge in the first fight anyway. I just don't know what Colby could have adjusted since then that will make a difference... We'll see.

 

Khamzat needs to keep winning so we get him v Usman

 

Khamzat probably only needs one win at this point. Dana is seeing dollar signs with him

 

I am annoyed with Colby the vast majority of the time, but I have to admit, calling him Kamaru Juiceman got a good laugh out of me.

 

Apparently Leon was offered to be the replacement for this week. What if he said yes and was needed and won. Would be a mess of a situation. Part of me thinks they asked him knowing he'd say no just so they could say "He turned down the fight. He had an opportunity".

 

can’t believe we’re getting one of the greatest PFL fighters vs one of the greatest Bellator fighters in the UFC lol

 

Usman has been more active and improving but the other side is there is more tape on what hes been working on.

Since the last fight Usman has become more reliant on his jab, heavy on his lead leg which opens the low kick as a counter. Usman has commented about not running because he has bad knees, may as well target them.

Usman didn't have much head movement in the first fight and Colby landed some good combos in the first 2 rounds, particularly the left overhand into right uppercut. Since working with Witman Usman still doesn't take his head off centre line but he has started ducking it more, sometimes defensively and usually to threaten a takedown or throw an overhand. Colby can use upper cuts and knees to attack this as he isn't as threatened by the take down.

I think we will see more grappling exchanges this time and we don't know how that will change the fight.

The most important thing for Colby to address is the body shots, Usman started working the body by round 4-5 Colby had stopped moving his head and started eating big straight shot he had previously been able to slip. Colby may be able to get a boring decision win by blading his stance and point fighting his way to a decision, he is faster and has better footwork, move in and out attack the legs and avoid big exchanges.

Or ya know Usman booms him in round 2.

 

Usman’s striking looked even sharper and better in his last two. Ate hard shots from both Burns and Masvidal without dropping and i’d say both are more powerful strikers than Covington. If I could dream a perfect match, Usman out-grapples him and TKO’s him on the ground so there’s no doubt.

 

Without flinching? Burns dropped him to his hands with a right hook in round one.

I don't think Colby has the power to stop Usman like that though

 

I had changed the wording before you responded. Seen the fight thanks.

 

I don't think Colby can finish him, so it'd have to be some decision. Based on the last fight, and Usman's improvements, I don't see that happening, but who knows.

Co-main doesn't interest me at all unfortunately.

Chandler/Gaethje could be a lot of fun, don't see how the winner could (or should) leapfrog Islam though.

 

It's weird how much the perspective shifts after things shake out.

Chandler, on a two fight win streak outside the UFC, knocks out Hooker early in the first round "Of course he should get an immediate title shot!" Islam, on an eight fight win streak at 20-1, submits Hooker early in the first round "Ehhh he might be a few fights away from a title shot....Not sure he's done enough"

 

I see Chandler getting knocked out

levels

 

It's bizarre. Maybe they figure Chandler (and Gaethje) are more proven draws? My personal feeling is that they want capitalize on a Poirier (should he win) and McGregor fight. Oliveira wins and who knows, I don't think a Chandler rematch would be that popular.

Regardless, I think Islam beats Chandler/Gaethje/Poirier fairly easily, and probably Oliveira too.

 

Charles is the only one I’ll give a shot at beating Islam tbh.

 

Yeah I agree with all of that honestly. Islam would probably look very similar to Khabib against Poirier and Gaethje. I actually think Chandler would hold his own with the wrestling and scrambles, but I don't think he would be able to sustain it for 3/5 rounds. Charles makes for a REAL good matchup though.

 

Id like Islam vs Dariush for the next title shot

loser of Poirer Oliveria vs winner of Gaethje Chandler

loser of Gaethje Chandler vs Connor

 

Hoping Weili gets it back

 

Woah.

UFC is apparently looking at Khamzat vs Gilbert Burns before the end of the year.

 

Makes sense. Gilbert is basically the only guy towards the top of welterweight who isn’t picky. Haha. I feel like any of the rest of the guys would hold him up in negotiations for year while he just wants to get back in action ASAP. Tough fight for Khamzat tbh.

 

opening with a banger

i assume to give wittman a break since he’s pulling triple duty

 

that was wild