MMA / UFC - Official Thread

[GeorgesGoons]

My #1 interest right now is a fight getting booked for Khabib. Tony Ferguson pulled out of the 4/16 fight against him earlier this week and the UFC hasn't found a replacement yet. Khabib called out basically everyone and the only 2 people to have allegedly stepped up are BJ Penn, which no one really wants to see and Donald Cerrone, because he's knows a guy. It sounds like there's some kind of hold up with the Cerrone fight though. I've said it for a long time, Khabib has the ability to be the champ for a long, long time... but this recent layoff and now another delay is very annoying as a fan. He shouldn't push off the fight to UFC 200 because he's Muslim and observes Ramadan, which means that he is fasting from sunrise to sunset, which is incredibly hard on the body while trying to train properly. Hopefully the Cerrone fight gets done even if it's at 170, which Khabib is open to.

Yea I meant to mention that.. I was really looking forward to that fight. Khabib could be champ for a long time if he can stay healthy as well.

[GeorgesGoons]

Cat Zingano and Julianna Pena added to UFC 200. Card is rounding out nicely.

Holm's manager said that Tate was offered Holm but Tate turned it down for an easier fight against Nunes.

[ReignOnU]

Yeah, I saw the comments from Holm's manager... about what I would expect.

Personally I like that she's taking the Nunes fight and I think it may be a tougher match-up for her from a style standpoint. I'm not a huge fan of immediate rematches for champions, this isn't the WWE. In the case where it's a great fight or controversial, yes, but I think Tate won the fight decisively and Holm needs to take another fight to get back into the #1 contender spot. As for Nunes, she's right behind Holm (just lost) and Rousey (not ready) in the rankings and she's on an impressive run. She's very aggressive and actually finishes most of her fights. She's had 1 loss in the last 3 years and that was to Cat Zingano, in a 3 round war... and Cat was destroying everyone at that time.

As for the Khabib fight... I don't hate that choice either. Apparently it was unlikely that Cerrone was going to be able to make weight so that deal didn't get finished. The guy they are bringing in actually has some legit MMA game and isn't a straight up can. With that said, Khabib is going to ragdoll this dude.

Finally... I'm really excited about this Fight Night card on Sunday. It's going to take place very early in the day since it's coming from Croatia. The prelims and main are on FS1.

Here's a quick breakdown:
Ben Rothwell vs JDS
- This fight isn't going to decision. Rothwell has been on a wild tear lately and JDS is looking to reaffirm his spot near the top of the HW division.

Derrick Lewis vs Gabriel Gonzaga
- This one won't see a decision either... partially because Lewis probably can't stand up that long and more so because both are incredibly aggressive.

Francis Ngannou vs Curtis Blaydes
- I've been looking forward to this one since it was announced. I've followed Blaydes since his first pro fight. I saw him in a training video with Jon Jones. The guy is a beast. He has a great wrestling background and has developed some heavy hands. I was shocked to see the UFC match him with Ngannou. Ngannou is a bit of a late bloomer but at first glance, he immediately reminds you of a young and dangerous Cheick Kongo. In 2 years, this is a match that could probably be headlining a Fight Night card.

Timothy Johnson vs Marcin Tybura
- Johnson has shown some power in the past, but I think he's just fighting out his contract. He's a low level HW for the UFC. His last fight was a loss to Jared Rosholt, who the UFC just released (odd move actually). Tybura, like Blaydes, is someone that I've followed for roughly 2 years now. He was part of a prospect watch on Sherdog. He is an absolute machine standing up. He has 1 loss on his record which came in crazy match with another very high level fighter that I'd love to see the UFC sign (Stephan "T-800" Puetz). The downside was that Tybura basically gassed towards the end and started blocking punches with his face... never a good move. With that said, I expect him to dust Johnson.

Igor Prokrajac vs Jan Blachowicz
- This is the regional flavor on the main card. Prokrajac sucked in his last stint in the UFC, but he's Croatian. He gets matched up with Polish fighter Blachowicz here. While neither fighter is even top 10 material, at least Igor has the knack for either knocking someone out or getting knocked out. It's a reasonably even match that could provide a good finish and some good exchanges.

Maryna Moroz vs Cristina Stanciu
- Besides being smoking hot... Moroz has a legit resume. She's the Ukrainian Women's Olympic Boxing coach and she's finished most of her fights via armbar submission. She's very well rounded. She won her UFC debut over Calderwood and lost a decision to Valerie Letourneau. Valerie went on to fight JJ in November and pushed her to the limit, losing a 5 round decision. That gives you some idea of how close she is to the top already. Stanciu is fairly unknown, but does have a 5-0 record on the regional scene and is just 21yrs old. She's probably in over her head, but we'll see how it goes.

The 4 fight prelim card doesn't have many known names, but I believe the fights will be exciting. The UFC looks to have done a great job of finding talent that has thrived on the regional levels in Europe, pitting some great records and guys that tend to finish fights against each other. Hopefully it's not a case of talent neutralizing itself, which sometimes happens.

[shel311]

[ReignOnU]

[nick]

Conor McQuitter

[GeorgesGoons]

Conor McQuitter

I think being ringside for the fight in Dublin where the Brazilian died from head injuries fucked with his nugget and says it's not worth it anymore.

Perfect time to bring GSP in to save the day

[ReignOnU]

I hit up Sherdog every day and a few other message boards occasionally and my first reaction was that there is no he's done. My second thought was that there is a lot more to this story and it's not just tied to watching that fight. If you search around a little, you can find some pretty damning evidence that Conor is really leading a fast lifestyle. Hookers and blow would be tame. Honestly, I'm not sure how it's all been kept under wraps when this many common people are popping up with camera phone images and stuff.

As for GSP returning, it would absolutely add major hype to that 200 card. I'm sure fans would love to see GSP v Diaz.

[GeorgesGoons]

I hit up Sherdog every day and a few other message boards occasionally and my first reaction was that there is no he's done. My second thought was that there is a lot more to this story and it's not just tied to watching that fight. If you search around a little, you can find some pretty damning evidence that Conor is really leading a fast lifestyle. Hookers and blow would be tame. Honestly, I'm not sure how it's all been kept under wraps when this many common people are popping up with camera phone images and stuff.

As for GSP returning, it would absolutely add major hype to that 200 card. I'm sure fans would love to see GSP v Diaz.

Or GSP against Lawlor.

I think there was some money complaints as well, he isn't sitting as pretty as he thought he was after that loss.

I also heard the rumors about the drugs and possibly not able to pass a random drug test right now. I still think he fights at 200, if he is still out by mid May then I will reconsider my stance on him fighting on the card.

[shel311]

. If you search around a little, you can find some pretty damning evidence that Conor is really leading a fast lifestyle. Hookers and blow would be tame. Honestly, I'm not sure how it's all been kept under wraps

Probably cause posters post vague info and don't give up the juicy details?

[GeorgesGoons]

Interesting.....

https://twitter.com/fuckoffbeemo/status ... =twsrc^tfw

You can see the screenshot behind the text message he is sending. Behind it's a text to Connor Trouble and it says, "Might be sitting out until" not sure what is after that but could be drugs, could be a bigger payday.

[ReignOnU]

. If you search around a little, you can find some pretty damning evidence that Conor is really leading a fast lifestyle. Hookers and blow would be tame. Honestly, I'm not sure how it's all been kept under wraps

Probably cause posters post vague info and don't give up the juicy details?

Vague... but with USADA being involved now... I think they are the kind of organization that will go after it...

Quick Example...

[DRWebs]

Hookers ruining everything

[nick]

damn Conors high on the weed? btw Happy 420 everyone

[shel311]

He doesn't even have to fight, I just want him to never stop talking, it's so great every time he says something.

Conor McGregor
5 minutes ago

I am just trying to do my job and fight here.
I am paid to fight. I am not yet paid to promote.
I have become lost in the game of promotion and forgot about the art of fighting.
There comes a time when you need to stop handing out flyers and get back to the damn shop.
50 world tours, 200 press conferences, 1 million interviews, 2 million photo shoots, and at the end of it all I'm left looking down the barrel of a lens, staring defeat in the face, thinking of nothing but my incorrect fight preparation. And the many distractions that led to this.
Nothing else was going through my mind.
It is time to go back and live the life that got me this life.
Sitting in a car on the way to some dump in Conneticut or somewhere, to speak to Tim and Suzie on the nobody gives a frick morning show did not get me this life.
Talking to some lady that deep down doesn't give a frick about what I'm doing, but just wants some sound bites so she can maybe get her little tight arse a nice raise, and I'm cool with that too, I've been giving you all raises. But I need to focus on me now.
I'm coming for my revenge here.
I flew an entire team to Portugal and to Iceland to make my adjustments in preparation and fix my errors I made with the weight and the cardio prep.
With the right adjustments and the right focus, I will finish what I started in that last fight.
I will not do this if I am back on the road handing out flyers again.
I will always play the game and play it better than anybody, but just for this one, where I am coming off a loss, I asked for some leeway where I can just train and focus. I did not shut down all media requests. I simply wanted a slight adjustment.
But it was denied.
There had been 10 million dollars allocated for the promotion of this event is what they told me.
So as a gesture of good will, I went and not only saved that 10 million dollars in promotion money, I then went and tripled it for them.
And all with one tweet.
Keep that 10 mill to promote the other bums that need it. My shows are good.
I must isolate myself now.
I am facing a taller, longer and heavier man. I need to prepare correctly this time.
I can not dance for you this time.
It is time for the other monkeys to dance. I've danced us all the way here.
Nate's little mush head looks good up on that stage these days. Stuff him in front of the camera for it.
He came in with no shite to do that last one. I'd already done press conferences, interviews and shot the ads before RDA pulled out.
Maybe I'll hit Cabo this time and skull some shots pre-fight with no obligation.
I'm doing what I need for me now.
It is time to be selfish with my training again. It is the only way.
I feel the $400million I have generated for the company in my last three events, all inside 8 months, is enough to get me this slight leeway.
I am still ready to go for UFC 200.
I will offer, like I already did, to fly to New York for the big press conference that was scheduled, and then I will go back into training. With no distractions.
If this is not enough or they feel I have not deserved to sit this promotion run out this one time, well then I don't know what to say.
For the record also -
For USADA and for the UFC and my contract stipulations -
I AM NOT RETIRED.

[GeorgesGoons]

He doesn't even have to fight, I just want him to never stop talking, it's so great every time he says something.

Conor McGregor
5 minutes ago

I am just trying to do my job and fight here.
I am paid to fight. I am not yet paid to promote.
I have become lost in the game of promotion and forgot about the art of fighting.
There comes a time when you need to stop handing out flyers and get back to the damn shop.
50 world tours, 200 press conferences, 1 million interviews, 2 million photo shoots, and at the end of it all I'm left looking down the barrel of a lens, staring defeat in the face, thinking of nothing but my incorrect fight preparation. And the many distractions that led to this.
Nothing else was going through my mind.
It is time to go back and live the life that got me this life.
Sitting in a car on the way to some dump in Conneticut or somewhere, to speak to Tim and Suzie on the nobody gives a frick morning show did not get me this life.
Talking to some lady that deep down doesn't give a frick about what I'm doing, but just wants some sound bites so she can maybe get her little tight arse a nice raise, and I'm cool with that too, I've been giving you all raises. But I need to focus on me now.
I'm coming for my revenge here.
I flew an entire team to Portugal and to Iceland to make my adjustments in preparation and fix my errors I made with the weight and the cardio prep.
With the right adjustments and the right focus, I will finish what I started in that last fight.
I will not do this if I am back on the road handing out flyers again.
I will always play the game and play it better than anybody, but just for this one, where I am coming off a loss, I asked for some leeway where I can just train and focus. I did not shut down all media requests. I simply wanted a slight adjustment.
But it was denied.
There had been 10 million dollars allocated for the promotion of this event is what they told me.
So as a gesture of good will, I went and not only saved that 10 million dollars in promotion money, I then went and tripled it for them.
And all with one tweet.
Keep that 10 mill to promote the other bums that need it. My shows are good.
I must isolate myself now.
I am facing a taller, longer and heavier man. I need to prepare correctly this time.
I can not dance for you this time.
It is time for the other monkeys to dance. I've danced us all the way here.
Nate's little mush head looks good up on that stage these days. Stuff him in front of the camera for it.
He came in with no shite to do that last one. I'd already done press conferences, interviews and shot the ads before RDA pulled out.
Maybe I'll hit Cabo this time and skull some shots pre-fight with no obligation.
I'm doing what I need for me now.
It is time to be selfish with my training again. It is the only way.
I feel the $400million I have generated for the company in my last three events, all inside 8 months, is enough to get me this slight leeway.
I am still ready to go for UFC 200.
I will offer, like I already did, to fly to New York for the big press conference that was scheduled, and then I will go back into training. With no distractions.
If this is not enough or they feel I have not deserved to sit this promotion run out this one time, well then I don't know what to say.
For the record also -
For USADA and for the UFC and my contract stipulations -
I AM NOT RETIRED.

I bet it's in their contract that they help promote fights. If it is and he signed the contract then he is obligated to do so.

The UFC has been put in a tight spot with this. Do they cave here and set the precedent for other fighters to follow? Or do they not allow him to fight and possibly lose some money on the 200 card for the long term gain.

I am not a fan of how the UFC handles fighters but they are the big show and these guys could sign elsewhere when their contracts are up.

Benson Henderson said it best...
‘If you raise your children a certain way, they’re going to act a certain way’

[nick]

lol how do you get views if you dont promote your shit stupid. It sucks hes gonna eat 2 losses in a row and quit again.

[GeorgesGoons]

lol how do you get views if you dont promote your shit stupid. It sucks hes gonna eat 2 losses in a row and quit again.

I hope so. I hope it's a 5 round ass whipping with 500 Stockton slaps

[DRiccio21]

Dana White is a complete piece of shit. so i'm all for the fighters on just about every stance there is

[Cnasty]

Dana White is a complete piece of shit. so i'm all for the fighters on just about every stance there is

Is there a head of any league in the world that anyone overwhelmingly likes?

I can't think of one.

I guess the NBA and MLB guys are pretty new to say if anyone loves or hates them yet.