The MMA thread

Up until BT recently decided to pick and choose the events that should be on PPV, Users in UK didn't have to. Luckily this on early tonight at BST so I streamed it.

Eir and BT don't have an agreement anymore so I lost the regular channels about 3 months ago.

I wouldn't give a cent for any BT PPVs.
 
People should watch that last minute of that fight to realise just how good Khabib is. He went from getting choked by a Top Team BJJ black belt to getting snuffed out inside a minute. That’s fecking MMA at it’s finest. I guarantee you all the pundits are going to marvel at this — and they should, cause it’s fecking extraordinary, to do that to a professional BJJ black belt.
Yes! Exactly what I thought.

A man truly at the pinnacle of his powers and technique
 
People should watch that last minute of that fight to realise just how good Khabib is. He went from getting choked by a Top Team BJJ black belt to getting snuffed out inside a minute. That’s fecking MMA at it’s finest. I guarantee you all the pundits are going to marvel at this — and they should, cause it’s fecking extraordinary, to do that to a professional BJJ black belt.

Not particularly impressive when you consider Dustin was already winded and exhausted after having been mauled the previous two rounds. Khabib does deserve credit for wiggling out and milking the energy Dustin expended to demoralize him further.
 
Not very excited to see the Tony matchup because he is slow and speed is key to beating Khabib.

They will probably make it though.
 
Something of a side note but Kadyrov's continued association with MMA is grim.

Hard to stop him unfortunately. He has his own local MMA promotion so most young Chechen and Dagestanis coming up have to work with him or one of his goons. Khabib seems to navigate him fairly well - visits him but doesn't go over the top in his praise for him.
 
A knackered BJJ black belt who has blown his arms up on a failed guillotine but yeah, levels man.

It was so idiotic. I said to Brian "Boom" Kelleher on twitter early this week, that hopefully Dustin doesn't goes for the guillotine to defend take downs (he did it vs Alvarez so i was scared he was gonna do it again... ffs) because he would only burn his arms (zero chance submitting Khabib). Of course the fight was over few seconds later after the attempt...
 
A knackered BJJ black belt who has blown his arms up on a failed guillotine but yeah, levels man.

Without trying to be too cheeky — Aye, that what happens when you wrestle. There’s a video of John Donegher saying that he has seen Khabib man handle guys that he should have no right to tussle with. I tend to believe him because he’s so borning and almost always right.

The Diaz Brothers do triathlons for fun.



Don’t get me wrong, Nate is fit but he’s not Khabib fit. If he was he’d be closer to looking like Zabit ffs. I mean, I understand that one can have incredible cardio whilst having a pot belly but being fitter than Khabib? That’s a joke... Unless, Nate was predispositioned to have unnatural fitness ability then I do not see how he could possibly be fitter.
 
Without trying to be too cheeky — Aye, that what happens when you wrestle. There’s a video of John Donegher saying that he has seen Khabib man handle guys that he should have no right to tussle with. I tend to believe him because he’s so borning and almost always right.



Don’t get me wrong, Nate is fit but he’s not Khabib fit. If he was he’d be closer to looking like Zabit ffs. I mean, I understand that one can have incredible cardio whilst having a pot belly but being fitter than Khabib? That’s a joke... Unless, Nate was predispositioned to have unnatural fitness ability then I do not see how he could possibly be fitter.

Bro, Khabib and Zabit aren't known for being unusually fit. They are known as great grapplers and in Zabit's case a good (but not great) striker. The Diaz Brothers have been skinny fat their entire careers. They have world class cardio that is far better than your average UFC guy who only trains in a gym. That's what triathlons do to your cardiovascular system.
 
Not particularly impressive when you consider Dustin was already winded and exhausted after having been mauled the previous two rounds. Khabib does deserve credit for wiggling out and milking the energy Dustin expended to demoralize him further.

With all due, that an extremely naive thing to say. If I’m going to blow after 2 months of camp, then it’s reasonable to say that my opponent might just be feeling it as well.

I’m tired of saying this, I don’t say lightly, I didn’t say it about Fedor etc. Khabib is the best MMA fighter I've seen. Not because he’s truly the best, not because he’s the most talented — because he’s so efficient at what he does. He reminds me of Spain or German football teams between 2008-2014. They just did what they had to do — occasionally they absolutely fecked you!


Edit: noted; SASR is a bad example. Totally different experience, although, cardio would still be in play. Still, my point is, Khabib is physically fitter and stronger than any of those guys just because he’s simply younger. I really don’t see how anyone has more cardio in the tank than Khabib? I’m genuinely curious at this point.

The only way I see it is, if Khabib simply overtraines himself or he’s biologically less fitter, by which point, the difference becomes negligible.
 
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Bro, Khabib and Zabit aren't known for being unusually fit. They are known as great grapplers and in Zabit's case a good (but not great) striker. The Diaz Brothers have been skinny fat their entire careers. They have world class cardio that is far better than your average UFC guy who only trains in a gym. That's what triathlons do to your cardiovascular system.

I’m saying that Nate can get a lot fitter. It’s clearly true considering his weight. I don’t think comparing him to Zabit physiologically is too out there if Nate really wanted to compete.


** Edit: obviously that goes with a big grain of salt of quasi scientific shit that you hear on the internet.

Honestly, I don’t doubt that Nate is fit but I would say that Khabib is only out out of few guys who would pass an SASR selection for instance.
 
Not particularly impressive when you consider Dustin was already winded and exhausted after having been mauled the previous two rounds. Khabib does deserve credit for wiggling out and milking the energy Dustin expended to demoralize him further.
I don’t understand posts like this. Whose fault is it that Dustin was exhausted so quickly? That’s a central part of Khabibs strategy. It’s why he wins every time.
 
I don’t understand posts like this. Whose fault is it that Dustin was exhausted so quickly? That’s a central part of Khabibs strategy. It’s why he wins every time.

It was Khabib's fault, which is why gave him credit for mauling Dustin to tire him out.
 
Poirier crying with disappointment in press conference :(

Hope he can come back as champ once Khabib retires
 
I know he can only beat who’s put in front of him. But, I find it hard to consider him the best (p4p), when he hasn’t fought anyone who I’d consider top top level. Argue however much you want about Connor, but his two biggest weaknesses are Khabib’s two biggest strengths. It’s a terrible matchup for him.

Remember when Machida won a few title fights in a row and everyone thought he was the greatest 205er.
 
I know he can only beat who’s put in front of him. But, I find it hard to consider him the best (p4p), when he hasn’t fought anyone who I’d consider top top level. Argue however much you want about Connor, but his two biggest weaknesses are Khabib’s two biggest strengths. It’s a terrible matchup for him.

Remember when Machida won a few title fights in a row and everyone thought he was the greatest 205er.


Kinda true. Not his fault the division is not at it's best moment talent wise. The only guy in the top 15 (aside form Tony) that would excite me to fight Khabib, would be Gillespie.
 
I know he can only beat who’s put in front of him. But, I find it hard to consider him the best (p4p), when he hasn’t fought anyone who I’d consider top top level. Argue however much you want about Connor, but his two biggest weaknesses are Khabib’s two biggest strengths. It’s a terrible matchup for him.

Remember when Machida won a few title fights in a row and everyone thought he was the greatest 205er.

He definitely needs to start fighting some top drawer opponents. The best fighters he has been up against are the likes of Conor, Dustin, and RDA (before he hit his peak). He needs to beat Tony in order to prove he is a goat quality fighter, much as DC needing to beat Jones.
 
he won a round at least... Dustin didn't even showed up.
Debatable. The round was very even and he never caught him with anything decent.

If Dustin could get in full guard he might have pulled off the Guillotine. More trouble than Conor ever put him in.
 
Poirier crying with disappointment in press conference :(

Hope he can come back as champ once Khabib retires

fecking guy is an embodiment of a man. A fighter with real emotions. It’s tough for someone that roots for Khabib through and through, having to see him lose.

Maybe the question should be asked, if Ortega, who thinks he’s amazing, got mauled by Max, who is amazing, whom got beat by Porier, then what does that make Khabib? Maybe he shouldn't be too hard on himself.

I know it’s an incredibly simplistic view..
 
He definitely needs to start fighting some top drawer opponents. The best fighters he has been up against are the likes of Conor, Dustin, and RDA (before he hit his peak). He needs to beat Tony in order to prove he is a goat quality fighter, much as DC needing to beat Jones.
That’s absurd. You want Khabib to fight them when they’re air tight? I’m pretty sure most guys can do that. Khabib is Jones. Just the polar opposite. Jones is the most gifted, natural fighter and Khabib is the most professional guy you’ll see. Both are a testament to the sport and incredible contrast.

Caveat;—not saying that Jones is unprofessional or anything but we all know his mistakes.
 
Without trying to be too cheeky — Aye, that what happens when you wrestle. There’s a video of John Donegher saying that he has seen Khabib man handle guys that he should have no right to tussle with. I tend to believe him because he’s so borning and almost always right.



Don’t get me wrong, Nate is fit but he’s not Khabib fit. If he was he’d be closer to looking like Zabit ffs. I mean, I understand that one can have incredible cardio whilst having a pot belly but being fitter than Khabib? That’s a joke... Unless, Nate was predispositioned to have unnatural fitness ability then I do not see how he could possibly be fitter.

Zabit has awful cardio. If Zabit fought Max right now it'd have to end in 2 rounds or else Max would drown him with pressure. Diaz has stupid good cardio and 5 round fights suit him. The only time I seen him somewhat gas was against Conor's body work in the second round. Khabib is fine for cardio but we've only ever seen him implement his own game, if he was faced with a pure 3 round striking match he'd probably gas pretty quickly. All fighter's cardio will be fine if they have it their own way.

Edit: not second round but second fight!
 
It was so idiotic. I said to Brian "Boom" Kelleher on twitter early this week, that hopefully Dustin doesn't goes for the guillotine to defend take downs (he did it vs Alvarez so i was scared he was gonna do it again... ffs) because he would only burn his arms (zero chance submitting Khabib). Of course the fight was over few seconds later after the attempt...

I find all this very fascinating because i havent ever practiced any martial arts. Is a guillotine that energy drainer of a technique? I don't have tha POV while watching these fights. Any other interesting technical detail about todays fight?
 
Zabit has awful cardio. If Zabit fought Max right now it'd have to end in 2 rounds or else Max would drown him with pressure. Diaz has stupid good cardio and 5 round fights suit him. The only time I seen him somewhat gas was against Conor's body work in the second round. Khabib is fine for cardio but we've only ever seen him implement his own game, if he was faced with a pure 3 round striking match he'd probably gas pretty quickly. All fighter's cardio will be fine if they have it their own way.

Edit: not second round but second fight!

I really think you’re wrong on Zabits cardio. I think it’s excellent. He’s very explosive, he’s tall, and he’s 145, 6,1 - that’s a hell of a lot of energy but obviously he’s he’s 6’1 fighting in 145 so... I think cardio is relative too. I mean how do you compare cardio between DC and Stipe when they’re standing up and when they’re wrestling? It’s hard to quantify..
 
I find all this very fascinating because i havent ever practiced any martial arts. Is a guillotine that energy drainer of a technique? I don't have tha POV while watching these fights. Any other interesting technical detail about todays fight?

Get a cushion and squeeze it as hard as you can with your bicep for about 20 seconds and see if it hurts :lol:
 
I find all this very fascinating because i havent ever practiced any martial arts. Is a guillotine that energy drainer of a technique? I don't have tha POV while watching these fights. Any other interesting technical detail about todays fight?

Any move in of it self isn’t draining but whenever you’ve got resistance of a potential guy who’s wrestling is legitimately greatest of all time, then yes, it is an energy drainer.
 
I really think you’re wrong on Zabits cardio. I think it’s excellent. He’s very explosive, he’s tall, and he’s 145, 6,1 - that’s a hell of a lot of energy but obviously he’s he’s 6’1 fighting in 145 so... I think cardio is relative too. I mean how do you compare cardio between DC and Stipe when they’re standing up and when they’re wrestling? It’s hard to quantify..

Just basing it on the fact I've seen Zabit slow down in the 3rd in multiple fights, but as you said he has that type of style and I probably haven't seen him enough (a great fighter from the few fights I've seen). I agree, as I said Khabib will probably tire quicker in a kickboxing match than McGregor whereas Conor will tire quicker in a wrestling match. It depends on who can implement their game the best and Khabib is brilliant at that. That being said Nick and Nate have legendary cardio and I've never seen either of them being tired even when they're dominated.
 
Khabib is Royce Gracie to MMA all those years ago. I don’t see how people don’t want to admit it.

It’s a bit like the Japanese judo community when they realised that Russians just mastered it and were just better and really there wasn’t a lot they could do about it. Brazil did it England. It happens.
 
Man very few Irish people outside of the lads that are like Conor are fans of him any more. We all loved him when he was on his rise because he hadn't fully shown who he is at that time. Most people here dislike him now in my experience. I switched to Whittaker as my favourite a good while ago.
Great choice. I love guys like him who have a down to earth personality while they're one of the toughest guys on this planet. Seems like a great guy.

As for tonight. Khabib doing Khabib things. As good as Ferguson is, the same thing will happen to him. The Dagestani is the only champion who will retire undefeated from this sport. He's just too good.
 
When does Khabib become Royce Gracie legendary? If he wins tonight? If he beats Ferguson? I’m pretty sure Royce, Rickson is would struggle today.

He needs to move up to 170 for me. Win that belt then he's hall of fame status. His skills are unmatched at 155, it's not even fair. Plus he's struggled to make 155, his natural weight will be 170. I want him to fight Tony, then smother Askren
 
Just basing it on the fact I've seen Zabit slow down in the 3rd in multiple fights, but as you said he has that type of style and I probably haven't seen him enough (a great fighter from the few fights I've seen). I agree, as I said Khabib will probably tire quicker in a kickboxing match than McGregor whereas Conor will tire quicker in a wrestling match. It depends on who can implement their game the best and Khabib is brilliant at that. That being said Nick and Nate have legendary cardio and I've never seen either of them being tired even when they're dominated.

If Nate and Nick have such famous Cardio then why are they fecking journey men? Why does Nate fight Conor, who is a fecking panic attack artist.. Lets see Nate fight Woodley or Usman...!? You know why? Cause he’d get tossed around like a rag doll. His heart would not oxidate fast enough for him to roll with those guys.

I can be really fit too.
And trust me I was and at 19 I was probably fitter than 90% of UFC guys.. probably not something tangible or scientific but I could say with a certain degree of certainty that people are unfit to be athletes.
 
Great choice. I love guys like him who have a down to earth personality while they're one of the toughest guys on this planet. Seems like a great guy.

As for tonight. Khabib doing Khabib things. As good as Ferguson is, the same thing will happen to him. The Dagestani is the only champion who will retire undefeated from this sport. He's just too good.

Man he's the absolute best. Check out Grange Tv on youtube if you want an MMA podcast, his coach is fecking hilarious. @MaxiPaxi anyone who denys Khabib at this stage is an idiot, he's an animal and I always thought, even as an Irish fanboy originally, that he'd wreck Conor and the rest. I also agree with @Vato that while Ferguson has the best chance it's a very small chance.

Watching tonight the only chance to beat Khabib is a guy who can back him to the fence and keep him there. His takedowns are more effective at the cage than in the open but it's hard to keep him from backing you up. Perhaps we need someone like Gathje to just go for broke in the first minute and risk everything to knock him out. What I love about MMA is that he can be beaten just like Jones can simply because anything can happen in this sport.
 
That’s absurd. You want Khabib to fight them when they’re air tight? I’m pretty sure most guys can do that. Khabib is Jones. Just the polar opposite. Jones is the most gifted, natural fighter and Khabib is the most professional guy you’ll see. Both are a testament to the sport and incredible contrast.

Caveat;—not saying that Jones is unprofessional or anything but we all know his mistakes.

To be the best Khabib has to fight the best. He has yet to fight the person in his division who can realistically beat him, so until that happens there will be a big asterisk next to his name in terms of being the greatest ever.