The MMA thread

[CassiusClaymore]

I'm just annoyed I didn't sling any money down but Diaz at 5-1 against didn't seem worth it this time.

I had considered a double with Tate but didn't fancy her at all. That fight was the bigger upset for me.

 

[Stobzilla]

I don't get this at all. His last half a dozen fights were compete snooze fests. Great fighter but not somebody I especially miss watching.

That said if they can get him back to face Lawler at 200 consider me at least intrigued.

There it is. I like watching great fighters and he is among the best ever.

 

[Kazi]

Dana White is a terrible matchmaker. Needs to give the real OG Al Haymon a call.

 

[Zen]

As much as I love GSP, super classy guy and fighter. He has very little to gain from coming back, though there are four options on the table I guess, all pretty huge, and mostly in his favour.

vs Hendricks. But I'd say this has sailed given Hendricks losing twice since, but it'd be a winnable comeback fight with drawing power.
vs Silva. Also probably sailed, sells itself though.
vs McGregor. Even with the Diaz loss, this is probably the biggest fight you could dream up right now.
vs Lawler. Would he want to walk back into this fight?

I just don't see him wanting it. I doubt he's blown his money or is in any need for more. Far too smart.

 

[sullydnl]

Well that's 170 done then.

Back to 145 is the only thing that makes sense. Hopefully the cut isn't much worse...

Still, one loss isn't the end of the world. It punctures his mystique a bit but might make him address his flaws. It was always going to happen though, he just has to react to it properly.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

You have to have some sympathy for him, he was only expecting to put on 10lbs to fight RDS. Not 25lbs in two weeks and maintain his speed and endurance...

 

[Gol123]

You have to have some sympathy for him, he was only expecting to put on 10lbs to fight RDS. Not 25lbs in two weeks and maintain his speed and endurance...

He chose the fight.

Diaz took the fight with a couple weeks notice. No sympathy.

 

[Lay]

Nice to see Diego Sanchez still in the UFC and glad he won too.

What happened to the other ultimate fighters from season 1?

 

[DomesticTadpole]

He chose the fight.

Diaz took the fight with a couple weeks notice. No sympathy.

Well Diaz was big enough to say fair play to him for doing what he did with two weeks notice...

 

[George Owen]

Well Diaz was big enough to say fair play to him for doing what he did with two weeks notice...

Exactly. Conor saved the event. He could have bailed when no lightweight showed up but he decided to fight a tough guy on a weight class completely unknown to him, with no proper preparation. Kudos to him for saving face in name of fecking Dana.

 

[Gol123]

Just watched it again and Conors stamina was shit in the fight. Midway through round one all his attacks slowed to a crawl. In the second he looked too tired and flat footed to even sway his head, leading to a lot of clean shots taken to his face. He also has poor defense all round. That extra weight really fecked him up.

 

[Man of Leisure]

To people who have a solid understanding of MMA, did it look like Conor got overconfident? It looked to me as though he was pretty comfortable but wanted to stop Diaz when it wasn't really necessary?

Overconfident in his fight selections and moving up a couple weight classes maybe, but not during the fight itself. He wasn't showboating like a Anderson Silva by dropping his hands. He simply got caught. Happens in MMA.

 

[Dirty Schwein]

Connor is a college student who has been bullying high school kids but got schooled when he faced someone his own size.

Aldo needs to shut up though, hopefully Edgar gets the fight.

Loved the fight though, Everyone who was sleeping on Nate got a wake up call. I don't bet but told my friend, who knows nothing about mma to bet big on Tate abd Diaz, he made a ton of money.

Let's see if the UFC now let Connor get a lions share of that pie

 

[Man of Leisure]

Just watched it again and Conors stamina was shit in the fight. Midway through round one all his attacks slowed to a crawl. In the second he looked too tired and flat footed to even sway his head, leading to a lot of clean shots taken to his face. He also has poor defense all round. That extra weight really fecked him up.

Yeah this fight would have been more in Nate's favor (with that insane Diaz bro cardio) the longer it had gone. No way Conor fancied going 5 rounds with him. Hard to say if fighting at 170 is why he gassed so early. Two weaknesses got exposed last night, Conor's lack of endurance and a groundgame.

 

[Gol123]

I would retire if I was Conor. Already a millionaire and at the top of my game at the moment. Maybe go to one/two more big fights at FW and then shut up shop. Probably as easy as it gets for him.

 

[Manny]

Just seen this. Derailments everywhere...

Delighted for Meisha Tate, awesome finish to that fight.

Just watched it again and Conors stamina was shit in the fight. Midway through round one all his attacks slowed to a crawl. In the second he looked too tired and flat footed to even sway his head, leading to a lot of clean shots taken to his face. He also has poor defense all round. That extra weight really fecked him up.

I agree. His stamina looked shite against Mendez too but I put that down to a difficult weight cut. He looked exhausted sitting on the stall between the rounds. All that "inefficient with my energy" was nonsense because his output wasn't even that high in the first round despite the damage on Diaz. Ridiculously poor stamina considering he didn't even do a weight cut.

I also felt like he folded after he was starting to get lit up on his feet and shot for takedown so he could be submitted instead of knocked out. He basically shot straight into a guillotine.

Questions need to be asked about his stamina, ground game and heart.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

His endurance and stamina were terrible...he said that after the fight...it's hardly enough to make him retire. He will always be over confident in all aspects of what he does, it's his personality. He will go back to defending his featherweight title and will most likely, over time, build up to challenging lightweight. I think he could handle that pretty well. But to shove a lot of expectation on him over a welterweight who can obviously take a punch is a bit much. He created all the fuss because that is what Dana would expect off him to bring in pay per view money.

 

[Gol123]

Just seen this. Derailments everywhere...

Delighted for Meisha Tate, awesome finish to that fight.

I agree. His stamina looked shite against Mendez too but I put that down to a difficult weight cut. He looked exhausted sitting on the stall between the rounds. All that "inefficient with my energy" was nonsense because his output wasn't even that high in the first round despite the damage on Diaz. Ridiculously poor stamina considering he didn't even do a weight cut.

I also felt like he folded after he was starting to get lit up on his feet and shot for takedown so he could be submitted instead of knocked out. He basically shot straight into a guillotine.

Questions need to be asked about his stamina, ground game and heart.

Definitely. For all his talk of being a fighter and an Irish warrior, he was a massive pussy in that fight (To use his favourite phrase). Kinda personifies his fans and the Irish in a way

His trainers are the problem with stamina. He isn't getting the level of training that he needs to work his cardio. Intensity levels aren't to the standard of a fight. Maybe its time for him to discard a bit of that loyalty and bring in a better team to work with.

Does Nate deserve a title fight after this? Conor was getting one after this fight and Diaz's popularity has got to soar after that win. Which one would he go for?

 

[George Owen]

Does Nate deserve a title fight after this? Conor was getting one after this fight and Diaz's popularity has got to soar after that win. Which one would he go for?

this was just a money fight. Diaz might get his title shot someday but in what division?

he can barely make weight to lightweight (plus we have better fighters like Cucuy and Khabib coming next) and would be destroyed by the majority of welterweights.

maybe a new weight division just for him? 162.5 pounds...


Personally, i think he should gave welterweight s proper chance again. But i don't know if he has the work ethics to push himself to the limit. Hopefullñy he does because he is a showman.

ps. fecking Mata sent off! wtf...

 

[Tom Van Persie]

I would retire if I was Conor. Already a millionaire and at the top of my game at the moment. Maybe go to one/two more big fights at FW and then shut up shop. Probably as easy as it gets for him.

Bit of an overreaction imo. He moved up 25 pounds to fight Diaz who is no joke and he was beat because he gassed in the first round and he didn't respect Diaz's power. It was all over as soon as Diaz landed that big shot. He was fecked. McGregor still has plenty to offer at FW though and he could rematch Aldo at UFC 200 or fight Frankie Edgar.

I do wonder how last night would've went if he was fighting Dos Anjos as originally planned. How many people thought he would beat Dos Anjos?

 

[Dirty Schwein]

Dos Anjos would have sent him to A&E. That guys a fecking monster.

 

[redmeister]

Bit of an overreaction imo. He moved up 25 pounds to fight Diaz who is no joke and he was beat because he gassed in the first round and he didn't respect Diaz's power. It was all over as soon as Diaz landed that big shot. He was fecked. McGregor still has plenty to offer at FW though and he could rematch Aldo at UFC 200 or fight Frankie Edgar.

I do wonder how last night would've went if he was fighting Dos Anjos as originally planned. How many people thought he would beat Dos Anjos?

The crazy thing is, he'll probably start as the betting favourite against Edgar. The odds last night show how much MMA is based of hype and not reality. He moved up 2 weight classes and was still a huge favourtie. It's crazy. He got taken down by Chad and was also struck plenty of times and Chad really did gas. Yet he'll be a big betting favourite to beat Edgar. People will listen to him saying how FW crumble when they feel his power, but Edgar will take him down and keep him there until he gives in.

 

[Charlie Foley]

Classy from Diaz in the post fight interview.

 

[Raoul]

The overreaction to Conor inevitably losing is understandable. There was a massive bubble surrounding all his hype that was bound to inevitably burst. Still he's done a lot for the sport in terms of bringing money and attention in, which other fighters are all benefiting from through higher wages etc. He will be back.

 

[justboy68]

I wish people would stop acting like Diaz is a welterweight. He is 2-2 at welterweight, 4 fights. At lightweight he has had like 18 fights in the UFC and missed weight once. People are trying to make excuses based on weight which is just hugely over exaggerated. This wasn't really a welterweight fighting a featherweight, it was more like a big lightweight fighting a small lightweight and they didn't bother with the weight cut. They were closer in size than most of Conor's opponents when he makes the death cut to FW.

 

[Pscholes18]

I think McGregor still has a lot to offer and can still bring in the $...he just needs to go back down, fight at his weight and all will be well. If he wants to move up classes he needs to do it in moderation. I did like his comments on Aldo...why didnt he take a rematch? Did I miss something? I appreciated McGregors humblenss after the loss...I think he learned a lot in this fight.

Absolutely ridiculous Rousey gets Tate her first fight back. Styles make fights and Rousey who has the mental advantage over Tate with two wins will have a much easier time than a Holm rematch. Money talks and Dana wants to get paid....it should be Holm v Rousey, winner gets Tate or just give Holm an immediate rematch.

 

[Gol123]

Bit of an overreaction imo. He moved up 25 pounds to fight Diaz who is no joke and he was beat because he gassed in the first round and he didn't respect Diaz's power. It was all over as soon as Diaz landed that big shot. He was fecked. McGregor still has plenty to offer at FW though and he could rematch Aldo at UFC 200 or fight Frankie Edgar.

I do wonder how last night would've went if he was fighting Dos Anjos as originally planned. How many people thought he would beat Dos Anjos?

He cant realistically cut to FW for many more fights and that division really isn't where the money is at. The problem is, he was completely outclassed by a guy who is pretty average in that LW division. That means arguably the nest je cam hope for without his huge size advantage in that division is top 10 really. You look at all the guys in there (Khabib, RDA, Pettis, Diaz, Alvarez) and they all are bigger/the same size as him, can take more and dish out just as much and have a much better all round game compared to him.

He only really has a few more big money fights in him realistically looking at it from the FW division. That's assuming he wins most of them. Once he starts losing, Dana will shit on him hard because of how big he actually became in the sport. Dana only pits up with his shit because he makes him money. When that stops happening, he wont put up with it any more.

 

[RexHamilton]

Disppointing night for Conor alright. The stamina issue is hardly surprising. How he thought he could gain that much weight in such a short space of time and still have the same engine was naive. His bravado got the better of him, because fighting at 170, less than three months after fighting at 145 is crazy. I know people talk about walking around weight and all of that stuff, but he has been conditioned to fight at 145. Carrying an extra 25 lbs and expecting to be able to move as well as you had is crazy. He should have turned down the fight at 170. But he didn't and it cost him.

I don't think this "derailment" is as massive as his detractors are making out though. McGregor never thought he was invincible, not matter how often he said he was. He'd have known that he could have got caught in any of his fights. He'll know losses are part of the game. He'll return, he'll win fights and he'll lose fights. One thing I hope he doesn't change is his attitude pre-fight. The man is pure entertainment and he has brought the sport of MMA to a much wider audience.

 

[Gol123]

Disppointing night for Conor alright. The stamina issue is hardly surprising. How he thought he could gain that much weight in such a short space of time and still have the same engine was naive. His bravado got the better of him, because fighting at 170, less than three months after fighting at 145 is crazy. I know people talk about walking around weight and all of that stuff, but he has been conditioned to fight at 145. Carrying an extra 25 lbs and expecting to be able to move as well as you had is crazy. He should have turned down the fight at 170. But he didn't and it cost him.

I don't think this "derailment" is as massive as his detractors are making out though. McGregor never thought he was invincible, not matter how often he said he was. He'd have known that he could have got caught in any of his fights. He'll know losses are part of the game. He'll return, he'll win fights and he'll lose fights. One thing I hope he doesn't change is his attitude pre-fight. The man is pure entertainment and he has brought the sport of MMA to a much wider audience.

He is afraid. He thought he was the best in the UFC and was dominated by the 5th ranked LW. That's why he is choosing to stay in FW and not go up. He knows they are too good for him and is afraid of the defeat.

Probably will be easier to wind up now that he has lost. You can see it now with billy big bollocks Aldo jumping on the bandwagon.

 

[RexHamilton]

He is afraid. He thought he was the best in the UFC and was dominated by the 5th ranked LW. That's why he is choosing to stay in FW and not go up. He knows they are too good for him and is afraid of the defeat.

Probably will be easier to wind up now that he has lost. You can see it now with billy big bollocks Aldo jumping on the bandwagon.

If he was afraid of defeat he wouldn't have taken this fight at short notice. He is ultra confident, obviously, but he's not delusional. He'd have been well aware that defeat was possible last night. I'd have any money with you that he'll fight above FW again.

 

[Oggmonster]

He is afraid. He thought he was the best in the UFC and was dominated by the 5th ranked LW. That's why he is choosing to stay in FW and not go up. He knows they are too good for him and is afraid of the defeat.

Probably will be easier to wind up now that he has lost. You can see it now with billy big bollocks Aldo jumping on the bandwagon.

I don't think it's fair to say he's afraid really? He just did a huge weight jump and has said in his post fight press conference he is still nterested at fighting at LW. People are going a bit over the top with this really. It was a poor night for Conor and his personality doesn't help him but fighters lose and come back. I'm assuming you're also willing to suggest Holly Holm should retire now as well?

Give the guy a break. He's 7-1 in UFC with 6 wins being stoppages, he has brought new eyes to the sport and whether fighters like him or hate him he does make them more money than they'd get for not fighting him. Aldo, McGregor, Holm, Rousey and whoever else who has a loss weren't invincible. The "brand" of McGregor has taken a hit but lets see how he does in his next fight before dismissing him completelt.y

 

[Dirty Schwein]

Disppointing night for Conor alright. The stamina issue is hardly surprising. How he thought he could gain that much weight in such a short space of time and still have the same engine was naive. His bravado got the better of him, because fighting at 170, less than three months after fighting at 145 is crazy. I know people talk about walking around weight and all of that stuff, but he has been conditioned to fight at 145. Carrying an extra 25 lbs and expecting to be able to move as well as you had is crazy. He should have turned down the fight at 170. But he didn't and it cost him.

But as Kavanagh said, we seen him on salads now watch what he does on stakes. Didn't Kavanagh also say the weight cut to 145 was killing him? Therefore he should fight in 155 and have to work his way to a title shot like EVERYBODY else and not be gifted it.

Would make sense for him to go back to 145, fight Edgar and Aldo then move on if he wins those as at that point, the division is cleared.

But it's scary to think what the likes of Khabib, El Cucuy or RDA will do to him. They in my opinion are much scarier than Nate.

Also, it's a bit bullshit when people keep mentioning his lack of cardio because of the jump in weight. Nate didn't even have a camp and no sparring, so technically, it evened itself out and the better and smarter man man won.

At least the argument that he's P4P best, better than Bones, Mighty Mouse, Cruz etc will stop. Couldn't stand that bullshit. He's a good fighter, not a mystical god as his nut-huggers will have you believe.

 

[Name Changed]

I'm sorry I ruffled your feathers sally. It wasn't competitive because Nate walked through Conor. Laughed in his face, slapped him repeatedly while walking through him, then he just about knocked him out standing, and then he choked him out in a matter of seconds. Conor won a very close first round by going all out and Nate was going like 50%.

So if it was close, then it was competitive. Can you not understand that? How the hell can a close fight not be competitive?

 

[Dirty Schwein]

 

[RexHamilton]

But as Kavanagh said, we seen him on salads now watch what he does on stakes. Didn't Kavanagh also say the weight cut to 145 was killing him? Therefore he should fight in 155 and have to work his way to a title shot like EVERYBODY else and not be gifted it.

Would make sense for him to go back to 145, fight Edgar and Aldo then move on if he wins those as at that point, the division is cleared.

But it's scary to think what the likes of Khabib, El Cucuy or RDA will do to him. They in my opinion are much scarier than Nate.

Also, it's a bit bullshit when people keep mentioning his lack of cardio because of the jump in weight. Nate didn't even have a camp and no sparring, so technically, it evened itself out and the better and smarter man man won.

At least the argument that he's P4P best, better than Bones, Mighty Mouse, Cruz etc will stop. Couldn't stand that bullshit. He's a good fighter, not a mystical god as his nut-huggers will have you believe.

Yeah. And there is a big difference between 155 and 170. Especially in three months. The cardio thing is definitely an issue though. But that's Conor and his crew's mistake. You simply can't put on that much weight that quickly and exect to be as mobile.

I have no problem with him having to earn his shot. The UFC top men giving in to his demands are hardly McGregor's fault. Of course he'd want to jump straight into a title shot. Who wouldn't. But Dana and Lorenzo shouldn't have given in.

Yeah, no doubt that Diaz's prep wasn't great either. But he says himself that he's always ready to fight.

 

[justboy68]

Yeah. And there is a big difference between 155 and 170. Especially in three months. The cardio thing is definitely an issue though. But that's Conor and his crew's mistake. You simply can't put on that much weight that quickly and exect to be as mobile.

I have no problem with him having to earn his shot. The UFC top men giving in to his demands are hardly McGregor's fault. Of course he'd want to jump straight into a title shot. Who wouldn't. But Dana and Lorenzo shouldn't have given in.

Yeah, no doubt that Diaz's prep wasn't great either. But he says himself that he's always ready to fight.

He didn't put on any more weight than he had already planned to for RDA, it just meant that he didn't have to do the weight cut when they moved it to 170. Either way on fight night he was pretty much the same size he would have been for the RDA fight. It was already well documented that Conor was walking around at 170ish.

 

[Gol123]

If he was afraid of defeat he wouldn't have taken this fight at short notice. He is ultra confident, obviously, but he's not delusional. He'd have been well aware that defeat was possible last night. I'd have any money with you that he'll fight above FW again.

He honestly never thought he was going to lose this fight I imagine. The idea in his head was that he was better then RDA, so obviously Diaz was not a challenge for him. He also believed without the cut he would be even better and sharper. In the end he was dominated by a guy who isn't even in contention for the LW title. He is rocked by this defeat, no doubt about it. This will haunt him for a long time no matter what he does because of his trash talk. Also has already started it.

I don't think it's fair to say he's afraid really? He just did a huge weight jump and has said in his post fight press conference he is still nterested at fighting at LW. People are going a bit over the top with this really. It was a poor night for Conor and his personality doesn't help him but fighters lose and come back. I'm assuming you're also willing to suggest Holly Holm should retire now as well?

Give the guy a break. He's 7-1 in UFC with 6 wins being stoppages, he has brought new eyes to the sport and whether fighters like him or hate him he does make them more money than they'd get for not fighting him. Aldo, McGregor, Holm, Rousey and whoever else who has a loss weren't invincible. The "brand" of McGregor has taken a hit but lets see how he does in his next fight before dismissing him completelt.y

Holm lost to one of the best in her decision in a close 5 rounder. McGregor lost to a guy not even around the title spot in his preferred weight division in 2 rounds after gassing in the 1st. Its a pretty awful loss on a level with Ronda Rousey's as for how poor it was as a performance. He won't recover from it to a level that he wants to be at and will likely be going down hill from here.

His great record is against guys who he has a huge natural size advantage over. He isn't a great fighter fighting at his level, he is a decent fighter fighting at a weight way below his own. This fight showed him up as a pretty poor fighter when he doesn't have the size advantage.

Also, he is all about the brand. That's the only reason why he is in the UFC, because of his brand and hype. The more hits his brand takes the more it affects him then other fighters.

 

[Dirty Schwein]

Yeah. And there is a big difference between 155 and 170. Especially in three months. The cardio thing is definitely an issue though. But that's Conor and his crew's mistake. You simply can't put on that much weight that quickly and exect to be as mobile.

I have no problem with him having to earn his shot. The UFC top men giving in to his demands are hardly McGregor's fault. Of course he'd want to jump straight into a title shot. Who wouldn't. But Dana and Lorenzo shouldn't have given in.

Yeah, no doubt that Diaz's prep wasn't great either. But he says himself that he's always ready to fight.

No you're mistaken buddy. Conor is the one that says he's ready to fight all day everyday, said that the weight isn't an issue, even suggested 170. Nate actually said on more than one occasion that he had no camp and there's a chance he can get KO'd, it was Conor waxing lyrical how weight doesn't matter in martial arts. So I don't want to hear that bullshit excuse anymore.

I would have accepted the excuse had the McNut-huggers accepted Chad Mendes' short camp excuse but they didn't. Conor and his worshippers ripped into Mendes about his lack of cardio and Mendes said he was ready to fight as he trains all year which we all know wasnt true as he was on a hunting show so couldnt have been training. He was winning that, gassed and lost and that's that. It was still more of a reasoning than the Conor fans are giving now.

 

[FC Ronaldo]

 

[justboy68]

He claims he would fight anyone and wants to challenge Cain, yet he refuses to do so unless he can get an agreement that the ground game is completely taken out of it. So he should shut the feck up.