I'm still stunned by that...
How the hell did he get away with that?!
How the hell did he get away with that?!
The MMA thread
- Thread starter Fortitude
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I think he was a bit winded and still dazed from a couple of shots Conor caught him with in the 1st. Credit to Conor for having the heart to stand up and go after him.
On the ground, he took some pretty hard elbows directly on the top of the head. Looked a little disoriented when he stood up and McGregor attacked him right away
Most definitely. Mendes with a proper camp would likely beat him next time as well, as @Nucks said
While they were on the ground and Mendes was throwing elbows, McGregor was constantly hitting him on top of the head and on the sides. I reckon his balance was less than expected after they got up and Conor exploited it.
Here we go, the excuses.. Do you think that Mendes doesn't train every minute of every day? Camp my arse! These guys eat sleep and breath MMA. They don't need camps..
Just look at the shape Mendes was in. He's been in a camp for this fight his whole life
Mendes took the fight on 2 weeks notice. That's what happened. His cardio was not on point.
Connor is a good fighter, he's probably top 3 or 4 in the division but let's not get carried away. That fight did not have a grueling tempo. Chad did not get punished in any way to suggest that is why he was exhausted.
Chad Mendes fought a fecking war with Aldo that had a much higher tempo, with much harder shots taken and received on both ends.
Educated MMA fans have been curious about Connor's ground game. That's the big hole people thought might exist. Chad Mendes proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that it exists. What Chad did not have was the gas tank to keep it up. It's almost unfortunate for Connor that Chad was fighting on short notice because for many this will take the shine off of an important win.
Connor is a good fighter, he's probably top 3 or 4 in the division but let's not get carried away. That fight did not have a grueling tempo. Chad did not get punished in any way to suggest that is why he was exhausted.
Chad Mendes fought a fecking war with Aldo that had a much higher tempo, with much harder shots taken and received on both ends.
Educated MMA fans have been curious about Connor's ground game. That's the big hole people thought might exist. Chad Mendes proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that it exists. What Chad did not have was the gas tank to keep it up. It's almost unfortunate for Connor that Chad was fighting on short notice because for many this will take the shine off of an important win.
Taking nothing away from Conor, only top fighters can do what he did tonight. Chad on the other hand, could've done better if he had a full camp.
Yesssssssssssssss
Dont care what anyone says that was fecking awesome
Dont care what anyone says that was fecking awesome
Taking a title fight on a couple of weeks notice is a tall order. It worked for Cormier, but he was more so the exception. Not sure why this would even be in question.
Wonder would McGregor's takedown defence have been better if he had proper time to prepare for Mendes rather than the last minute switch.
EDIT: Not that it would have been much better, it's definitely a weakness.
EDIT: Not that it would have been much better, it's definitely a weakness.
Yea they don't need camps. I've been practising martial arts on and off for the past 8 years, and while I'm not trying to say I'm any good, people who I've trained with are, and I can tell you, their diet, their approach and their dedication to the sport has nothing to do with getting in the octagon. They could fight at the drop of a hat and be in fight condition.
If Mendes eben thought for a second he wasn't in fight condition he wouldn't have stepped in the ring. So he knew what he was doing. We're just talking.
Pretty much sums it up, right?
It was an absolutely shocking ending. I didn't realize how much damage Mendes took from those elbows on the ground - thanks to all who pointed that out.
I'm not saying anything against Mendes here, as I was convinced he'd win before the fight took place but,
It applies to both fighters that they both had a limited time to prepare for each other....Not just Mendes
It applies to both fighters that they both had a limited time to prepare for each other....Not just Mendes
Would a full camp and more notice or whatever have made his jaw more capable of soaking up McGregors left hand? A left hand everyone knew was a serious weapon of McGregors. Mendes was well prepared for tonight to say he wasn't is only an excuse.
Even so, its just common sense that fighters who have the benefit of a full training camp will be far better conditioned and prepared than those who get a phone call 2 weeks out.
Great win for Connor but and I have to put a but here because it was clear to me that chad was not fit enough to fight for 5 rounds. In fact although Connor hit him he was out of breath in th first 3 mins of the fight. realizing this he went for the choke late in the round when he could have controlled Connor till the end of the round. This isn't Connor fault so he deserves the plaudits and that big fight in Ireland vs Aldo. Anyway it was nice to see the respect at the end and I'm sure we will see this fight again.
Conor looked very ordinary and overmatched to me. Vulnerable throughout the fight. I can't see him lasting against anyone with solid takedown and ground skills.
Can we expect the UFC matchmakers to shield their cash cow from those type of fighters?
No one is taking anything away from McGregor, but Mendes, despite dominating much of the fight, wasn't fully prepared imo. He seemed like he was just happy to be there and was improvising his way through it.
It applies to both fighters though.
McGregor has had Aldo on his mind for months. He had prepared mentally and physically for him....And then, he had to switch opponents, at such short notice.
Not ideal for either fighter
He did seem oddly vulnerable, but it was masked by incredible preparation, heart, and cardio skills.
The Macdonald Lawlor fight was the best fight I've seen in years, maybe ever.
Basically went down the way I thought it would if Robbie were to win. Rory was up 3-1, that's how I saw it, how all the judges saw it, and as I posted on the UG about my thoughts, you can never discount Robbie cause he has the mentality of "I'm gonna block bungaloos with my face and throw hands muthafeckaaaaAAAAAAA!"
The fight oddly mirrored the first fight too, and Robbie won that fight the same way, hardcore surge in the final round. Respect to Robbie and especially Rory for fighting with Franklin nose for 4 rounds.
Basically went down the way I thought it would if Robbie were to win. Rory was up 3-1, that's how I saw it, how all the judges saw it, and as I posted on the UG about my thoughts, you can never discount Robbie cause he has the mentality of "I'm gonna block bungaloos with my face and throw hands muthafeckaaaaAAAAAAA!"
The fight oddly mirrored the first fight too, and Robbie won that fight the same way, hardcore surge in the final round. Respect to Robbie and especially Rory for fighting with Franklin nose for 4 rounds.
The denial in this thread is beautiful. Americano's delusions, mother of God.
I think Mendes could have done better on a full fight camp but it would probably be the same result, either that or Mendes wins a boring top control on the ground fight without doing much. Mendes has great takedowns but he is not a big finisher on the ground, Conor would take that all night. Eventually Mendes would get tired and his TD attempts would only get easier to stuff. On the feet Mendes has been dropped before and was dropped again. We've yet to see Conor get dropped and he took some hard shots from Brimage, Mendes and Poirier. Conor has very good accuracy and power behind his punches. For me the big question was if he could take Chad's power, and he did, i was surprised tbh as Chad hits very hard. Colour me impressed.
I've calmed down and read through the comments
Seems like he still has doubters, for all this two week notice for Mendes, put that against mcgregors absolutely ridiculous media schedule in the past 3 weeks.
Chael Sonnen came out and said it was crazy what he has had to do, and terrible prep for a fight. Add this to the sheer pressure the guy is under....and guess whT it showed and he looked a tied man out there.
Now for the fight. Standing up McGregor destroyed him and mendes was clearly hurt at multiple times on the first round. Although he was taken down twice I still would have given McGregor that round
The 2nd Mendes dominated on the ground but Conor defended stood up at the end and finished him
The doubters can go stick their heads up their hole and the shove it up your bollox
Seems like he still has doubters, for all this two week notice for Mendes, put that against mcgregors absolutely ridiculous media schedule in the past 3 weeks.
Chael Sonnen came out and said it was crazy what he has had to do, and terrible prep for a fight. Add this to the sheer pressure the guy is under....and guess whT it showed and he looked a tied man out there.
Now for the fight. Standing up McGregor destroyed him and mendes was clearly hurt at multiple times on the first round. Although he was taken down twice I still would have given McGregor that round
The 2nd Mendes dominated on the ground but Conor defended stood up at the end and finished him
The doubters can go stick their heads up their hole and the shove it up your bollox
I was surprised that McGregor didn't look close to 100% before the fight either.
McGregor deserves props, but he took a lesson in wrestling.
I hear you, but seriously, these guys are in training camps 365 days a year mate. Unless you've been to a mixed martial arts gym you don't understand how much they put in. Getting in the octagon to fight is just a side to what they do in the gym. They train 4 / 5 times a week, eat like unbelievably well, don't drink, don't smoke, running, weights, conditioning, just out of pure love of it.
And with Mendes not having a full 'camp', how do you think that would have affected McGregor, he would have been training for a completely different fight. Just give him props, he took out Mendes in two rounds with a TKO and the untouchable Aldo had to take the full 25 minutes.
I hear you, but seriously, these guys are in training camps 365 days a year mate. Unless you've been to a mixed martial arts gym you don't understand how much they put in. Getting in the octagon to fight is just a side to what they do in the gym. They train 4 / 5 times a week, eat like unbelievably well, don't drink, don't smoke, running, weights, conditioning, just out of pure love of it.
And with Mendes not having a full 'camp', how do you think that would have affected McGregor, he would have been training for a completely different fight. Just give him props, he took out Mendes in two rounds with a TKO and the untouchable Aldo had to take the full 25 minutes.
Here, where's the love for my man Gunner?!
Made absolute bits of Thatch, in such a short space of time....
McGregor this and Mendes that....Show some respect for the Gun show!!
Made absolute bits of Thatch, in such a short space of time....
McGregor this and Mendes that....Show some respect for the Gun show!!
McGregor getting the same treatment that Weidman has been getting. Just join the team guys. This is your last chance to join the team lol.
Great stuff, can't wait for the rematch, should happen eventually.
Silky smooth, was surprised to hear he's got a Gracie BB. Showed.
It would have helped McGregor as well for sure if both fighters had an equal time to prepare for one another.
The judges all had 3-1 Rory? I had it 2-2 myself but there were close rounds.
That was such a strange finish to the fight.
Mendes has really exposed his ground game now and honestly any fighter with a strong wrestling / judo game will beat him with relative ease I'd imagine.
That finish was crazy though, 3 seconds on the clock.
Mendes has really exposed his ground game now and honestly any fighter with a strong wrestling / judo game will beat him with relative ease I'd imagine.
That finish was crazy though, 3 seconds on the clock.
I'm not doubting at all. He proved a lot tonight. He has a chin for sure and the best stand up game in the division or maybe UFC. I realize there was a ton of pressure on the lad and he came threw it. The only question is will aldo fight him in Ireland?
The denial in this thread is beautiful. Americano's delusions, mother of God.
It's the first time I've watched Conor fight. I thought he took a lot of punishment. Some standing strikes, then the takedowns, then the cuts and elbows to the head and face. He was on his back for a large part of the fight and got cut pretty bad. He gave up his back a couple of times, Mendes had him in full mount at least once, he was almost submitted, and then he saved his own ass with a couple of Hail Mary punches. Not really a strategy for long-term dominance. Those weaknesses will be exploited by his next opponents. Get him on the ground, don't stand and trade.
Not really comparable though. One guy is having a full training camp 100% full bore preparing to fight. The other guy is just doing maintenance on the off chance someone drops out, and then gets the call 2 weeks out, a period almost ALL fighters shut their camps down during and just do cardio work so as to hit the fight as fresh as possible.
Look, Connor did what he had to do. He had to beat a wrestler, one of the best in the division, but he did not look convincing despite getting a stoppage. Connor got battered for 2 rounds, stood up and Chad just stood there and had nothing in the tank. The UFC HAS to cash in the McGregor chit with ONLY Aldo, because from what I just saw, Connor has basically a punchers chance against Frankie, and I would bet on Chad with a full camp in a rematch without hesitation.
Frankie Edgar is every bit the wrestler Chad Mendes is, probably better, and it's Frankie Edgar. The guy is basically the real life manifestation of the energizer bunny. Plus he is probably the slickest pure boxer in the division.
Connor won, but he didn't look convincing in doing so, and he did it against a guy that 2 weeks ago was not even in a full training camp. Despite what the guy earlier said, these guys do not train year round full blast for a fight. That's impossible. Their bodies would break down. They stay active, but there is a big difference in just the cardio you get from a 2-3 month camp versus a 2 week one.