Cruz-Dillashaw just doesn't move the needle for me. Put that one on an FS1 Germany show or something.
I pray for GSP's return. He's not that old yet, and left on a great win streak. Still quite possibly my favorite fighter all around. Seeing him and Mcgregor fight would be amazing.
Also, I actually just watched the post fight PC for Diaz, and is there any actual concern that he might be brain damaged? I had to rewind a few times to actually understand what he was saying, and generally once I was able to decipher it, I was pretty amazed that he thought he was speaking accurately.
Mainly the time difference. The main card would need to start at 7 pm Vegas time so unless they feel comfortable hosting an event in Dublin that starts at 3 am, this won't happen. They are having UFC 204 in Manchester, which will start at 3 am - and I'm pretty sure this will be the final time they ever do that.
Well, Dana was on the UFC Unfiltered Podcast and said that Jones/Rumble is most likely going to be next and will be a number 1 contender match. When asked about Jones' situation he said he couldn't really comment, but "he has 13 lives.", so obviously he will be back in the octagon rather quickly.
I can't see that fight happening in any other way than GSP taking McGregor down and grinding him into paste.
Strange choice if they do Jones/Rumble. Jones is still the interim champ, correct? Why do an "Interim title defense" for a title shot? Must be ignoring the whole interim thing altogether. I agree with Cormier's thoughts on the Jones situation: It's been booked four times, they've fought once. Let's move on. Rumble has decimated everyone in this UFC run aside from Cormier himself, so I think he's deserving.
But Rumble already lost to Cromier, but has since had a string of victories. Jones/Rumble is really the only fight that makes sense at the moment.
That still doesn't address anything I said. It all depends on how long Jones is out for. Even if he did get popped for something accidental, he'll still be out six months or so. Why make Cormier sit out for that long if Rumble is ready to go? If Jones fights Rumble in six months, Cormier then has to wait even longer for the winner. Fight one or the other unless by some miracle Jones is off the hook completely.
Because everyone wants to see Jones' fight, either with hopes he'll get knocked the fuck out or because he's genuinely liked. I'm pretty sure Jones was stripped of the interim title, which was bullshit in the first place so who cares. I want to see Rumble fight for the title, but he probably won't win even if it is against Jones.
Ariel was just on the Lebatard show and said he doesn't think Rumble should/will have to wait on Jones if he's out for awhile.
If that's the case then MAKE HIM FIGHT CORMIER. I'm not sure what the issue is here. I just am legitimately not seeing the reasoning in putting Cormier on the shelf to make the obvious number one contender wait to fight someone who is going to be put on suspension. Say if Jones is out six months at the minimum, you are putting all three of the top guys out that long and the champion out much longer (barring no injuries). In the off chance Jones gets to zoom straight back in, great. Have him fight either guy. But it doesn't sound like that's the case.
IMO, fuck Jones for being such a bonehead for the past few years. Johnson has earned his shot and he should get it regardless of what happens with Jones, imo. Make Cormier-Johnson and then provided Gus gets past Blachowicz in ten days, make Bones-Gus 2 for the #1 spot. I get that Jones is the P4P #1 in many peoples eyes and the current champ but the dude has done himself absolutely no favors over the past few years so as a lesson, make him earn that status again rather than based off how great he has been in the past.
I began to feel similar about Jones after this last cancellation with Cormier. Dude took himself out of the opportunity to get the belt back, nobody else.
Exactly my thoughts. He's screwed up so many times and his great fighting record has gotten him a free pass any time he wants to come back only to inevitably screw up again. Poor Cormier can't move past it because that's all anyone talks about. He's still holding up the division even without an immediate title shot by making Cormier and Rumble sit out and wait for him.
Not to mention, I'd happily watch Bones-Gus 2 again. Little less excited about Rumble-Cormier 2 although I can ALWAYS get up for a Rumble fight so again, would watch. Rumble-Bones (while an interesting fight) is just stupid to do at this moment.
I guess my hang up more than anything else is why you would purposely hold up a division that's sort of struggling. You have a guy who has KOed every contender in the first round, but you're trying to put him in a title eliminator...must be a red herring.
Well the MAIN issue with the entire LHW division is that Jones is still the real champ. As much as I don't like the guy, he hasn't lost the title due to losing a fight. He'll beat DC again, and will probably get through Rumble.
I get that Jones is still the real champ but at some point, the UFC needs to discipline the guy and just strip him and make him earn it again. You got guys who show up and punch the clock and are doing all they can to prove themselves but then you got this limp dick (j/k definitely not if the reports are true) holding up the whole division because he can't keep his nose (or other parts of his body) clean. Love Jones the fighter, loathe Jones the person.