The MMA thread

[George Owen]

Nunes should comfortably outstrike her but she's also a black belt in BJJ and brown belt in Judo, she shouldn't be getting thrown and submitted inside a minute like most of them.

Terrible match up for Ronda.

For sure. Nunes is a beast. So powerful.

She clearly has the stand-up advantage, but everywhere else both fighters are pretty even.

Ronda might edge it in the mental game though. She is used to fight with the belt in the line, so that's why i think she is favourite.

Not many fighters do a good job keeping their cool defending their belt this days. Way too many distractions, and now that the money is pretty good when you fight certain names, its certainly a life changer experience for Amanda. (she was desperate to get this fight and she got it, she gonna walk out a millionaire after the fight, even on defeat, imagine the thoughts that must be crossing her mind)

certainly gonna be a huge test for both women's will. Staying at the top is harder than getting there.

 

[Oggmonster]

I think if anyone deserves an immediate rematch it's Rousey to be fair, she pioneered a division and was a dominant champion and only lost once. I'm looking forward to it, if she moved teams I'd reckon she'd win easily but the Edmund factor makes me doubt her.



That 150k fine was a brilliant idea...

 

[sullydnl]

I think if anyone deserves an immediate rematch it's Rousey to be fair, she pioneered a division and was a dominant champion and only lost once. I'm looking forward to it, if she moved teams I'd reckon she'd win easily but the Edmund factor makes me doubt her.



That 150k fine was a brilliant idea...

Telling him he needed media training was probably more of an insult.

 

[JP77]

Nunes should comfortably outstrike her but she's also a black belt in BJJ and brown belt in Judo, she shouldn't be getting thrown and submitted inside a minute like most of them.

Terrible match up for Ronda.

We'll see.

My money is on Rousey finishing her in the first. A lot of people have questioned how mentally strong she is and whether or not she can bounce back from the devastating loss to Holm, IMO she comes out with a point to prove and absolutely destroys Nunes. I'm not buying into the Nunes hype what so ever. Good? Yes. Great? Not convinced at all. She got absolutely rag dolled by Zingano in the clinch despite the crazy early flurry, if she even get's into that with Rousey it'll be a short fight.

I know Ronda was the dominant champion for a long time but it's unfair on the others that she can just take a long lay off like that and return to get a title shot. I think Pena deserved the shot and Ronda should've returned to face Holm.

I'm not a big fan of Rousey so I'll be rooting for Nunes but if Ronda winning means she'll face Cyborg I wouldn't mind seeing that tbh.

Dana is trying to say that if Ronda win's the title the Cyborg fight happens for sure. It's clear as daylight the title isn't going to play a part what so ever if that fight happens because there's close to no way it happens at 135. Cyborg is destroying herself making 140. Do hope it finally happens next year though, it'll be huge.

 

[George Owen]

yes

 

[Dirty Schwein]

yes

I better stock up on that Kleenex

 

[Mark_GrumpyLion]

yes

Yes indeed!

 

[justboy68]

Rousey definitely deserving of the immediate title shot. That said I have a feeling Nunes might beat her down in the first two rounds. If it gets past the second then Ronda by a sub at some point.

Edit: Vanzant vs Waterson is a pretty weak main event for that Sacramento card from the standpoint of division importance but it's obvious why it's been made.

 

[Randall Flagg]

yes

It's the dream match up basically most men erm...dreamt about

 

[Dirty Schwein]

I can't wait for PVZ vs. Karate Hottie. I hope there's mud involved. I reckon there'll be a sprained wrist epidemic that weekend...

 

[sullydnl]

Two related stories.

 

[Oggmonster]

I won't get into the Conor thing cos it's been done to death really but re Aldo I do think he'll fight for the UFC again. Fair play if he uses it for some leverage to get more money or whatever.

 

[stevoc]

Can the UFC even let Aldo fight again after publicly saying he would throw a fight?

 

[RedFish]

Can't see anyone getting the better of Joanna Jedrzejczyk. As hard as they come.

 

[cyberman]

Can the UFC even let Aldo fight again after publicly saying he would throw a fight?

I can't see how he would get a license anywhere if he did that. The authorities would want to get involved as well.
I've lost all respect for the man.

 

[stevoc]

I can't see how he would get a license anywhere if he did that. The authorities would want to get involved as well.
I've lost all respect for the man.

Yeah can't see any commission allowing a guy who says he'll throw fights to fight in their territory again. I don't know what will happen out of this but if those quotes are true it wouldn't surprise me if his mma career is now over. Shame he's a great fighter.

 

[Name Changed]

Nunes should comfortably outstrike her but she's also a black belt in BJJ and brown belt in Judo, she shouldn't be getting thrown and submitted inside a minute like most of them.

Terrible match up for Ronda.

I disagree. Holm battered Ronda through counter-striking. Anyone who pushes forward against Ronda gets taken down. Nunes got caught by Zingano rushing forward, and she rushes forward at every opportunity. Unless she adapts, Ronda wins that fight by submission.

 

[Dominos]

I disagree. Holm battered Ronda through counter-striking. Anyone who pushes forward against Ronda gets taken down. Nunes got caught by Zingano rushing forward, and she rushes forward at every opportunity. Unless she adapts, Ronda wins that fight by submission.

She's a lot more methodical since she lost that fight, and she gassed herself going for the finish in round 1. But I agree her aggressive style is not as well suited to avoiding Ronda's clinch, compared to Holm or Shevchenko. However she's still got a big advantage standing up and has the power to finish it quicker than Holly did.

Holm did a great job keeping the distance but she did have to defend the judo takedowns from the clinch more than once and she did that very well, and even defended a submission attempt in round 1 and got back to her feet. And Holly isn't even a good grappler, she was just well prepared. On paper a BJJ black belt and Judo brown belt should be a nightmare for a one trick pony like Ronda who only uses judo throws and armbars.

 

[Manny]

What a fecking joke. Getting tired of these undeserved title shots.

 

[Raoul]

Two related stories.

Can't blame Aldo for wanting to retire. White has exposed himself of being an out and out liar who manipulates fighters for financial gain - promising something to one, then randomly reneging on his promise to chase the almighty dollar.

This was Dana on Fox the other day.

"Listen, I can't make anybody fight anybody. I can do the best I can to put together fights and make them happen. Jose Aldo and I will get together probably next week and we'll talk about this," White told "UFC Tonight" on Wednesday. "I think he's being a little ridiculous about this."

What he could've easily done is taken the belt from McGregor and allowed Aldo to fight again. But that would've obviously caused another Conor tantrum.

 

[stevoc]

What i am wondering about with all these statements coming from Aldo is if he wants to retire and walk away from fighting altogether why is he worried about the UFC releasing him from his contract?

They can't force him to fight, so if he want's to go and do something else in another sport or business he can do so without needing their permission. I can't remember UFC releasing anyone from their contract so he's probably wasting his time trying to get a release. If i were him i would take whatever fights the UFC gave him to see out his contract and then go to another promotion (which he obviously wants to do) where he will be a bigger star and more appreciated.

 

[Raoul]

What i am wondering about with all these statements coming from Aldo is if he wants to retire and walk away from fighting altogether why is he worried about the UFC releasing him from his contract?

They can't force him to fight, so if he want's to go and do something else in another sport or business he can do so without needing their permission. I can't remember UFC releasing anyone from their contract so he's probably wasting his time trying to get a release. If i were him i would take whatever fights the UFC gave him to see out his contract and then go to another promotion (which he obviously wants to do) where he will be a bigger star and more appreciated.

I'd imagine he will still want to fight and doesn't want to be tied to the UFC contractually. He's only 30 and still has a good 3-5 years in him.

 

[stevoc]

I'd imagine he will still want to fight and doesn't want to be tied to the UFC contractually. He's only 30 and still has a good 3-5 years in him.

Yeah i agree and as you say he's too young and too good to retire. I'm hoping he will work something out with White to fight again, as i just don't see the UFC releasing him from his contract.

 

[justboy68]

What a fecking joke. Getting tired of these undeserved title shots.

Are you referring to Ronda? I'm far from a Ronda fan but I have absolutely no problem with her getting a title shot in her return fight. She had many defences and it's not like her division is totally stacked. Shevchenko should get another win before getting a title shot and Pena is fairly deserving but it's not a travesty if she has to get another big win first. Shevchenko can beat Pena and get the next shot after Nunes/Ronda.

 

[JP77]

She's a lot more methodical since she lost that fight, and she gassed herself going for the finish in round 1. But I agree her aggressive style is not as well suited to avoiding Ronda's clinch, compared to Holm or Shevchenko. However she's still got a big advantage standing up and has the power to finish it quicker than Holly did.

Holm did a great job keeping the distance but she did have to defend the judo takedowns from the clinch more than once and she did that very well, and even defended a submission attempt in round 1 and got back to her feet. And Holly isn't even a good grappler, she was just well prepared. On paper a BJJ black belt and Judo brown belt should be a nightmare for a one trick pony like Ronda who only uses judo throws and armbars.

One trick pony

This is a woman that's gone in there and destroyed countless women. The armbar submission is her biggest weapon but she went in there and took out McMann with a knee to the body (nobody has destroyed her like Ronda did) and went in there with somebody seen as a superior power striker in Bethe and knocked her out standing with her. One trick pony my ass. I still can't believe how underrated this woman is by some people considering how much she dominated prior to the Holm loss (I know the excuse from some "she was just beating cans, weak division" etc).

 

[Randall Flagg]

What a fecking joke. Getting tired of these undeserved title shots.

You don't have a clue buddy

She is pretty much the reason why women are actually in the UFC and not only that important enough to headline major shows.

 

[Manny]

Are you referring to Ronda? I'm far from a Ronda fan but I have absolutely no problem with her getting a title shot in her return fight. She had many defences and it's not like her division is totally stacked. Shevchenko should get another win before getting a title shot and Pena is fairly deserving but it's not a travesty if she has to get another big win first. Shevchenko can beat Pena and get the next shot after Nunes/Ronda.

OK I jumped the gun somewhat with Ronda. But she got thoroughly outclassed by Holly Holm and knocked out. It wasn't a 'got caught' type of KO, it was devestating and you could see it coming in the first round.

I would have liked her to have at least one fight before a title shot in a division that seems to bubbling up. It hasnt helped that whilst Ronda has been away, the rest of the division have been busy and beating one another.

You don't have a clue buddy

She is pretty much the reason why women are actually in the UFC and not only that important enough to headline major shows.

yeah I don't care for this line of thinking.

Ronda got run over in her last fight and that's where her case for an immediate title shot should have ended.

 

[Oggmonster]

It's a weak division though.

1) Tate - Just lost to the champion
2) Shevchenko - Just lost to the champion before Holm fight
3) Holm - Lost 2 in a row
4) Rousey - Getting the title shot
5) Pena - On a good win streak..largely against shite
6) Zingano - Lost 2 in a row
7) Sara McMann - Lost 2 of last 3 and her last win was a terrible fight

Who deserves it more really? Rousey did pioneer a division and lost 1 fight after defending the title 6 times with ease. If she doesn't deserve an immediate rematch no one does really.

You don't have to care for that way of thinking but it has been strongly implied by many in MMA media that the reason Dana White decided on a womens division despite being dead against it mainly was cos of watching Rousey. She carried a division and generated huge interest. People like her do deserve an immediate rematch.

 

[duffer]

Ronda deserves a title shot right away. She was an unbeaten champion who defended her title (emphatically) multiple times.

 

[Dominos]

One trick pony

This is a woman that's gone in there and destroyed countless women. The armbar submission is her biggest weapon but she went in there and took out McMann with a knee to the body (nobody has destroyed her like Ronda did) and went in there with somebody seen as a superior power striker in Bethe and knocked her out standing with her. One trick pony my ass. I still can't believe how underrated this woman is by some people considering how much she dominated prior to the Holm loss (I know the excuse from some "she was just beating cans, weak division" etc).

Meh. Boxing is poor, can't kick, has no wrestling takedowns. She uses her knees to good effect to be fair.

You aren't getting an Olympic level Judoka in the men's game coming in and dominating a division like that, the standard is higher. If Holly can learn to defend against her Judo throws, you've taken away the biggest weapon and she's starting to look very limited.

 

[Raoul]

It's a weak division though.

1) Tate - Just lost to the champion
2) Shevchenko - Just lost to the champion before Holm fight
3) Holm - Lost 2 in a row
4) Rousey - Getting the title shot
5) Pena - On a good win streak..largely against shite
6) Zingano - Lost 2 in a row
7) Sara McMann - Lost 2 of last 3 and her last win was a terrible fight

Who deserves it more really? Rousey did pioneer a division and lost 1 fight after defending the title 6 times with ease. If she doesn't deserve an immediate rematch no one does really.

You don't have to care for that way of thinking but it has been strongly implied by many in MMA media that the reason Dana White decided on a womens division despite being dead against it mainly was cos of watching Rousey. She carried a division and generated huge interest. People like her do deserve an immediate rematch.

Rousey-Tate-Nunes-Shevchenko-Pena all make the division far more interesting than when Ronda was walking through people a couple of years ago.

 

[Oggmonster]

Rousey-Tate-Nunes-Shevchenko-Pena all make the division far more interesting than when Ronda was walking through people a couple of years ago.

Yeah I agree mate competition makes stuff interesting but it's still a pretty odd division (weak perhaps the wrong word) and there's genuinely no stand out contender, like I said above a lot of them are beating each other and coming off losses.

Rousey did put that division on the map and she has done enough to deserve an immediate rematch. Aldo should of got one, Weidman was going to get one, Rousey deserves one as well. I don't see how people can complain about it, there genuinely is no other contender. Look at those above her, 2 have lost to the champion recently and the other 1 has lost 2 in a row.

 

[JP77]

Meh. Boxing is poor, can't kick, has no wrestling takedowns. She uses her knees to good effect to be fair.

You aren't getting an Olympic level Judoka in the men's game coming in and dominating a division like that, the standard is higher. If Holly can learn to defend against her Judo throws, you've taken away the biggest weapon and she's starting to look very limited.

Boxing is completely fine, proven with her going out there to make a statement against Bethe and knocking her out. You're basically downplaying her because she uses her main strength in judo.

You said Nunes is a terrible matchup for her, we'll revisit this in just over two months time when IMO Ronda will have absolutely torn through Nunes. I'm sure if that happens though the excuse will then go back to how poor the division is, because God forbid we ever give any credit or praise to Rousey for her talent.

 

[Dominos]

Boxing is completely fine, proven with her going out there to make a statement against Bethe and knocking her out. You're basically downplaying her because she uses her main strength in judo.

You said Nunes is a terrible matchup for her, we'll revisit this in just over two months time when IMO Ronda will have absolutely torn through Nunes. I'm sure if that happens though the excuse will then go back to how poor the division is, because God forbid we ever give any credit or praise to Rousey for her talent.

It wouldn't surprise me if Ronda wins in round 1 via armbar to be honest, just that on paper it shouldn't be that easy. If there's anyone who should be able to defend agaisnt Ronda's biggest weapons it's Nunes, thus it's a bad match up, but we'll have to see.

When she can live with Holm, Shevchenko or Nunes on the feet I'll say her boxing is good.

 

[Fortitude]

For sure. Nunes is a beast. So powerful.

She clearly has the stand-up advantage, but everywhere else both fighters are pretty even.

Ronda might edge it in the mental game though. She is used to fight with the belt in the line, so that's why i think she is favourite.

Not many fighters do a good job keeping their cool defending their belt this days. Way too many distractions, and now that the money is pretty good when you fight certain names, its certainly a life changer experience for Amanda. (she was desperate to get this fight and she got it, she gonna walk out a millionaire after the fight, even on defeat, imagine the thoughts that must be crossing her mind)

certainly gonna be a huge test for both women's will. Staying at the top is harder than getting there.

She lost her mind after her last bout and has been out of the fight game ever since. If anything, her mental fortitude is going to be more tested in her return than it ever has been, and if things get rough out there via strikes, it will be fascinating to see where she goes mentally (fight or flight). Nunes' camp will surely be looking to have her go out there and present an onslaught that further unnerves and unsettles Rousey in her ring return.

If Jon Jones can look like a quarter of the fighter he is after less time out than Rousey has had, then one has to wonder what an infinitely inferior fighter is going to be like with not only ring rust to contend with but also all sorts of personal demons to face up to in the very same match.

Fighting without a tune-up is a stupid idea, especially so for someone with such poor stand-up and a dire camp coaching her.

The bout has the makings of a disaster, imo. Rousey will gain massive kudos if she comes out on top despite all these factors going against her.

Boxing is completely fine, proven with her going out there to make a statement against Bethe and knocking her out. You're basically downplaying her because she uses her main strength in judo.

You said Nunes is a terrible matchup for her, we'll revisit this in just over two months time when IMO Ronda will have absolutely torn through Nunes. I'm sure if that happens though the excuse will then go back to how poor the division is, because God forbid we ever give any credit or praise to Rousey for her talent.

Her boxing is far from fine. It's not even average. Call a spade a spade.

 

[Raoul]

Her boxing is good enough to overwhelm nearly every fighter in the division, which when complimented with her Judo and ground game is more than sufficient to be a tremendous weapon.

 

[justboy68]

Her boxing is not even remotely close to fine. What she does have is very good natural power and athleticism though. It's important to remember that Correia was pretty much a complete joke of an opponent, mainly just to fill up the time while a real contender could emerge. She beat some of Rousey's friends and talked some trash to get a title shot. Rousey's friends who were something absurd like 0-10 in their last 10 fights. Don't confuse Ronda's knockout in that fight to be some kind of impressive boxing. It was an impressive knockout through pure bull rushing and swinging wildly knowing Betche had nothing to offer in return.

 

[Randall Flagg]

People wanted a break from UFC

Bah, I wish there was one on tonight

Might give cage warriors a shot. It's on @ 9pm

Swedish fighter Martin Svenson from McGregor's season in TUF is in the main event

 

[Randall Flagg]

Ended up getting UFC Belfast tickets

It's a half decent card but one or two injuries away from being fairly average. But I will enjoy it anyway

 

[Fortitude]

Her boxing is not even remotely close to fine. What she does have is very good natural power and athleticism though. It's important to remember that Correia was pretty much a complete joke of an opponent, mainly just to fill up the time while a real contender could emerge. She beat some of Rousey's friends and talked some trash to get a title shot. Rousey's friends who were something absurd like 0-10 in their last 10 fights. Don't confuse Ronda's knockout in that fight to be some kind of impressive boxing. It was an impressive knockout through pure bull rushing and swinging wildly knowing Betche had nothing to offer in return.

Exactly this. Her entire stand-up is terrible, but the caveat was always that once she got in grappling range, by bull-rushing, the fight would be over via take down and arm-bar. It highlighted the weakness of the division that she could do that, not her actual ability as a stand-up fighter.

That offering up her face and body to get in was always a bad tactic, but that doesn't matter if your opponents aren't competent enough to exploit it. Nunes would've been a strong opponent for Rousey at the peak of her hype, let alone now where she might come back a husk of what she once was.

If she [Rousey] and Cyborg ever meet at a catchweight where the man-beast doesn't look like an extra from The Walking Dead, it will be the worst stand-up beating ever seen in the UFC's history - Dana White will never throw one of his cash cows to such a slaughter.