Imagine trying to win over a non-MMA fan. I would have chosen Ngannou vs. Lewis to showcase it all (come on this has to have fireworks - RD 1 KO etc).
Oh dear...
Oh dear...
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- Thread starter Fortitude
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I'm cutting Lewis some slack for that fight. At least he was trying them crazy switch kicks at the start but then obviously he pulled his back so he fought cautiously after that. I get the impression though that he was there to scrap but Ngannou on the other hand looked scared to throw punches. I agree with what Rogan said, dude needs to go see a sports physiologist. It's clear that the Miocic defeat has broke him and if what Dana said about his ego is true then he definitely needs a serious talking to.
Dana was a dick for that, not surprising but he was. I don't know whether his ego ran away with him or not but the UFC hardly helped. Look at the build up to the Stipe fight and you'd thin kNgannou was the champion. Dana was talking him up saying he hit with the power of a car or something ridiculous. This is a guy who came from nothing and was homeless, you're then put in the spotlight of a heavyweight title fight and your boss is saying stupid shit like that. Course he's going to get caught up in it all it would be hard not to.
Dana is such a prick who will shit on people when he's done with them. Look at just Ngannou as an example of it, after the Stipe fight he was slating him for flying to France or something and now with Lewis his ego is out of control. And that's just 1 fighter. He's a fight promoter though and he probably sees no value at all in Ngannou after that and is probably done with him for now. I'm sure if he has some resurgence in a few years then Dana will be all over him again.
Dana is such a ballbag. Addicted to throwing fighters under the bus.
Ngannou, GSP, TJ Dillashaw, Woodley, Gastelum, Mighty Mouse, Yair etc.
Funny thing is, most of these are champs or potential contenders.
What a promotor.
Ngannou, GSP, TJ Dillashaw, Woodley, Gastelum, Mighty Mouse, Yair etc.
Funny thing is, most of these are champs or potential contenders.
What a promotor.
That's true mate. We all know Dana has a history of throwing fighters under the bus and I'm certainly not a fan of it. The hype for Ngannou going into the Stipe fight was mental, UFC were really pushing him as the new Mike Tyson of MMA and like you said it's easy for the fighter to get caught up in it. He was getting interviews on ESPN and more attention than the actual champion. Not to mention he was doing his training camp at the UFC performance centre too so it did feel like the UFC were doing everything to promote him as one of their own and do everything they could to help him to win. The defeat has clearly knocked his confidence, apart from the first round he was dominated by Stipe and Ngannou looked lost when he was taken down.
The DJ one was the worst for me. This is a guy who's defended his belt against everyone in his division and has been nothing but a great ambassador for the sport and the minute DJ asks for reassurances over the TJ fight Dana throws him under the bus and basically says he's dodging TJ.
I think Dana threw him under the bus the first time cos it looked bad on the PI as you refer to. They talked him up as being an unstoppable machine (so much so that Stipe wouldn't let Dana put the belt on him) then when it was clear he is a hugely limited fighter it looked bad on the PI so Dana said the stuff about going to France.
I don't know if he did go hes never admitted it to my knowledge. @Dirty Schwein has given a good list of fighters above who Dana has shit on and there's definitely more. Look at that list though 5 are current or ex champions, 1 is getting the MW title shot next and the other is one of the UFC's brightest prospects. It's so weird how Dana does things.
To be fair, fans shit on the UFC for not getting behind fighters not named Conor or Brock yet they throw everything behind Francis and he puts on a performance like that.
Its a no win situation for them and it should tell us why they don't use their hype machine to it's full extent that often.
I think it works both ways.
They tried with Ngannou credit to them but equally he wasn't ready for that hype. Were they to know that? Maybe not (albeit I suspect they probably did think his only chance was a KO.) Why not hype others? People who are ready. Mighty Mouse for example, Woodley another one? Instead Dana uses most his energy slagging them off instead and wonders why they don't draw massive numbers.
But you can't hype Woodley that much with his performances, its like trying to hype an Atletico Madrid to casuals!
Dana goes to the extreme with it but there's sense in what he does when he lays the blame on the fighter.
Look at Mighty Mouse, he is constantly hyped up to be the pound for pound goat yet he's so hesitant in fighting TJ. There's nothing to work with there unless MM rakes that next step for himself.
If he starts blaming UFC and hype then nobody would listen to them the next time they try to build up a fighter. Oh yeah, they said the same thing about so and so.
Its a dick move but that's business
Probably fair comment re Woodley, albeit he did KO Robbie lawler in 1 round and they never really hyped him up after that. Wonderboy vs. Woodley 1 was a decent enough fight and he was injured in Round 1 of the Maia fight so seems harsh to completely slate him for that.
For me there's no sense in what he does, he's a promoter of the company and these are his fighters. You're meant to protect them and talk them up and all to often he shits on them from a great height. It's fair game if they go to Bellator or somewhere but when they still work for you it's just silly. You don't see Eddie Hearn slating his own matchroom fighters. Obviously Dana can't get away from the fight being boring but he could of worded what he said a lot better. He basically iwped his hands of Ngannou and tossed him to one side, why not echo Rogan's sentiment that it's probably a mental thing? Gives him the chance to build himself back up and also protects him a bit. Explain that maybe he got to much to soon and couldn't handle it etc, instead it's everyone's fault but the UFC, for me there's no sense in it.
They don't particularly hype MM up either, they recognise he's one of their best but I really can't remember him being hyped up loads. Even the TJ stuff Dana gave a side of the story and MM gave his, MM made sense but Dana basically kept shitting him on again.
Why does he have to blame people? Why in that Ngannou fight did he have to shit on him? Why not just say it wasn't his day, bad day at the office or something? It oesn't always have to be a blame thing. Why does he call out MM and imply he's scared of TJ? Why does he constantly shit on GSP who's probably their best ever fighter? He doesn't have to do any of that stuff he just chooses to.
@Oggmonster i don’t think the PI is your standard run of the mill MMA gym. It has facilities to train fighters but it’s coaches you bring in. Which is what I think Claudia Gadelhia does. Nganou had Dewy Cooper and Fernand Lopez as his coaches who aren’t associated with the PI.
It’s just a high tec gym, where they can cater for all your needs from physio, nutrition and so on. It’s there so they can be the best athlete possible. Ngannou I think trains out of Syndicate MMA now, or he just visits there occasionally .That might be a recent move tho.
It’s just a high tec gym, where they can cater for all your needs from physio, nutrition and so on. It’s there so they can be the best athlete possible. Ngannou I think trains out of Syndicate MMA now, or he just visits there occasionally .That might be a recent move tho.
MM said he wants certain reassurances to fight TJ considering TJ has never made the FW limit. If Dana was so sure TJ can make the limit, then just give MM what he was asking for? Instead, he treated him like garbage.
Yep fair enough. Don't get me wrong it's not the reason he lost a fight but I imagine as a pride thing it's a bit embarrassing for the UFC that he looked like he did after training there (note Dana uses it as a way of berating fighters who miss weight etc "should of come to the PI")
I agree the 2 things aren't related but that won't stop Dana getting defensive.
The question is why is Lesnar even involved in any of this and why is DC even fighting at HW. He's proven he's a great fighter but you just have to ask what the financial condition of the UFC is at the moment where they feel they have to make these comical superfights where fighters leave their weight class to fight other fighters from the WWE (who BTW has been and still appears juiced to the gills).
A healthy promotion who are making money would not have to resort to this level of clutching at straws.
It’s easy money for them, DC and Brock. Who turns down a chance to make a fortune. DC will probably make more from this 1 fight than his last 2 combined. It’s a buisness and there aren’t recognisable sellable names in LHW or HW. This will sell more than DC vs Blaydes, Nganou or whoever else. Only person that would come close would be Jones.
The Promo bit was a bit weird but it’s done in boxing as well example Klitchko showing up after AJ’s fight. It’s just to promote the next one. Saw a few fighters tweeting some stupid stuff just because it’s not them that is going to get paid huge money to fight Brock.
I'm sure most of these fighters are looking forward to the day where Dana fecks off and a more likable promoter (like Coker) takes over.
I was reading about why Gegard Mousasi left for Bellator and he said despite the UFC making a decent offer, he felt more comfortable moving to Bellator because of Coker. Reading between the lines - "I could've stayed, but I left because Dana is a cnut".
I realize its a convenient money grab for DC before he retires, but that doesn't address the fundamental problem of the UFC having to clutch at straws by continually bringing Lesnar back and allowing complete beginners like Punk to even fight on the main card (much less a fight pass prelim). Lesnar and DC clearly have no future in the UFC since they are already at retirement age. Meanwhile, the likes of Curtis Blaydes, Volkov, and Miocic will have to wait for this circus to subside before regular order is restored in the division.
But I wouldn't call the week a calamity. At the end of the day I imagine they as a company are happy Brock will fight DC, they got what they wanted and they will get massive money from it probably. I'm not suggesting what is right or wrong, you may well have a point but I just don't think they'd sum up the week as a calamity that's all.
I'm not sure what DC has done wrong and the fights at HW. He has struggled to make weight at LHW and he won perfectly fairly, he's now the HW Champ and I'd personally guess he is done at LHW. Surely there's nothing wrong with him moving up a weight if he wins the title and vacates the LHW one? He'd not be holding up a division.
Again, fair comments although I doubT Miocic is to fussed as he seems excited about the break.
FWIW I agree with your sentiment as well, I don't think they should be using him and it's a shame they are, it's square pegs in round holes for the UFC and will create problems in the long run. DC is done from March (although I reckon he'll fight Brock and maybe Jones if his suspension isn't to long) and Brock will be done soon enough.
Imagine if Jones, Conor, and GSP were all fighting regularly. That would resolve much of the need to import WWE stars.
All they had to do is get Brock in the Octagon and have a normal stare off. Instead they went the pro-wrestling route. But whatever, I'm not too bothered by it.
Shame Stipe won't get his immediate rematch, considering he's been the most dominant HW champion in the division's history. Yet Cody gets a rematch against TJ?
Dana don't even try to hide the favouritism.
Shame Stipe won't get his immediate rematch, considering he's been the most dominant HW champion in the division's history. Yet Cody gets a rematch against TJ?
Dana don't even try to hide the favouritism.
Next time we should expect dwarfs and Lesnar breaking a chair over his future opponents head.
Aside from the shit show that was Lewis vs Ngannou the rest of the card was pretty entertaining.
Even got myself a couple of quid on a Lewis / DC double
Really glad to see DC become the Champ Champ, the man is an inspiration!
Re all the drama after the fight: it was a bit too WWE for my liking but that's what you get with Brock, he's a WWE drama queen and will get a shit-tonne of PPVs. (Part of me actually enjoyed it too)
Also, who doesn't want to see DC vs Lesnar??!! Bring it on!
Believe DC said he wants a fight before the Lesnar one and Lesnar needs to be clean - USADA and above, even if DC has to front the cost, he won't fight him if he's not clean. Fair play! I'm guessing this will be at LHW so as to not put his fight with Lesnar in jeopardy.
Even got myself a couple of quid on a Lewis / DC double
Really glad to see DC become the Champ Champ, the man is an inspiration!
Re all the drama after the fight: it was a bit too WWE for my liking but that's what you get with Brock, he's a WWE drama queen and will get a shit-tonne of PPVs. (Part of me actually enjoyed it too)
Also, who doesn't want to see DC vs Lesnar??!! Bring it on!
Believe DC said he wants a fight before the Lesnar one and Lesnar needs to be clean - USADA and above, even if DC has to front the cost, he won't fight him if he's not clean. Fair play! I'm guessing this will be at LHW so as to not put his fight with Lesnar in jeopardy.
There was a dwarf there, that little coach of DCs that pushed Lesnar when he got in the Octagon.
I mean Lesnar was the UFC heavyweight champ at one point so to throw him in with CM Punk might be a bit too far.
The problem is there aren’t many that can sustain success in MMA. They as a sport have to take risks on promoting people they think are the next big thing so they can have legit challengers, fighters and so on. Problem is these people do well for a while then lose. I’m just guessing but I think in general boxing has a much larger pool to choose from and pick a path to build your name, learn in a safer environment without being thrown to the wolves.
PVZ for example, she was promoted and pushed way too quickly, Dern is probably going to be the same if she can sort her weight out. Couple of wins and these people who should be developing are thrown straight in to it.
Big Drama Show....
Be lucky if he get a spot on the prelims the way Dana was talking about him in the post fight presser.
I don't mind a bit showmanship tbh, it's to get casuals more involved.
Problem for the UFC is that people who want to watch good fights aren't enough to sustain the business.
For example, Gastelum vs Whittaker has me so pumped as an MMA fan but I doubt many people will care.
Problem for the UFC is that people who want to watch good fights aren't enough to sustain the business.
For example, Gastelum vs Whittaker has me so pumped as an MMA fan but I doubt many people will care.
Jones got to be the weirdest case in UFC, an obvious drug cheat yet the media constantly give him a platform to talk shite and it seems people are desperate to give him ANOTHER chance.
Meh not really obvious, first one it was proven that it was tainted dick pills, the one currently, negative test, then a positive then the one straight after that was negative. Having trace amounts in your system probably isn’t going to give you any real performance boost.
This is the kind of stuff I mean it's like he gets a free pass cos of who he is.
The guys a feck up and a drug cheat. If it was any other fighter I'd imagine they'd be slated. Lets be honest the dick pill stuff is a bullshit loophole. He's just stupid enough to get caught twice.
I dont think it's as black and white as people are making it.
Why or how would Jones pass all the random tests and fail the one that he KNEW was coming?
Regardless, his history makes him the boy who cried wolf and no one will believe him.
People give him a pass because of how good he is in the cage and people are generally attracted to greatness.
Why or how would Jones pass all the random tests and fail the one that he KNEW was coming?
Regardless, his history makes him the boy who cried wolf and no one will believe him.
People give him a pass because of how good he is in the cage and people are generally attracted to greatness.
The dick pill stuff is pretty obvious bollocks though so even if you did ignore the second one the first one is dodgy enough.
Then take in to the fact there is a second one it seems odd people will still defend him.
There's other stories of him to (hiding under the Octagon for hours to avoid drug testers being the common one)
You're right people are attracted to greatness, if he comes back I will still watch high fights but I just find it funny how people make excuses for him.
It’s not bollocks tho, it was proven. Provided a sample to Usada they tested it and found that it had trace elements. Then on the latest one looks to be a similar situation. Passed every test up to the fight, pissed hot just before the fight then straight after pissed negative.
You can piss hot for the tiniest amount that wouldn’t even be enough to give you any sort of athletic boost but you’ll be labelled a drug cheat.
You should look for some Jeff Novitzky “the golden snitch” interviews and see how they go about testing tainted supplements and so on. He’s the head of USADA.
Jones is no doubt an absolute feck up and really I have no love for the man but the drug cheat thing isn’t black and white at all. As for supposed rumours of hiding from testers that is an automatic fail unless you are Wanderlei Silva and the Brazilian sporting government has your back and refuses Usada entry.
Aldo,Brandao,Hendricks,Vitor, Overeem clearly more prominent PED users and not much gets said on them.
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Each to their own, it'll go round in circles this so no point in debating it.
I'd personally say failing 2 drug tests (whether you have ready made excuses or not) pretty much makes you some kind of drugs cheat in all honesty.
You (and others as well) think he may have a way out. He may well do so but in my opinion he's a cheat and I'll never get why he's given such a pass. If people want to give him such it's their choice.
Agreed it’ll go round in circles but he’s given a pass because there is reasonable doubt.
USADA are supposedly testing supplements now on the Jones case and the rumour is he’ll be acquitted. So again cleared of PED use charges. Hence not being labelled a drug cheat, therefore not a free pass, just a pass because the evidence isn’t there.
Does anyone know what exactly the drugs jones took would do to his performance? Just strength and endurance enhancement?