My main argument was tweaking this particular stance right here - he hasn't ONLY been pitted against strikers, but he has only been matched up against one dominant wrestler, and in that case, the wrestler wasn't in the type of shape he needed to be in to utilize that style. Just more or less saying he hasn't really been "protected" like some people say, but I also don't think he's been through all of these tough stylistic match ups like a lot of other champions have. I'm not under the impression he will be able to handle every wrestler like he did Mendes.
I think that is probably accurate. I wouldn't disagree with you. But it seems worth noting that that also seems like a product of luck and timing as much as anything. For instance, he was scheduled to fight RDA, a jj black belt, but RDA pulled out. Had he fought RDA and won, the narrative around Conor could be a lot different.
Yep, that's exactly right. That's why it kills me when people say that he's "ducking" anyone. He just takes the fights that are going to get him where he wants to be, but as shown with Diaz and Mendes, he doesn't care how short notice and whether or not the stylistic match up is bad for himself.
Yup. He just takes the highest revenue generating fight there is. That partly explains why he doesn't do title defenses either. At the point he gets his belt, any challenger is looking to make their name against Conor. Conor is looking to fight people who have already made their names. That is where the money is. I honestly think he has maybe 2 more MMA fights in him, and then maybe the Floyd fight, and then he is out. Like, maybe Woodley and then GSP. But I don't think he sticks around much longer.
I have no problems with Conor getting fights above his belt weights jumping queues if he keeps winning them. That happening after loses is where I'd draw the line at a farce
Looking ahead to the card this weekend, anything you all are excited about? I think Swanson beats up Artem. I think the Ortiz - Moreno fight should be fun. Dodson - Wineland, too. Finally, I hope Mike Perry gets his ass kicked again.
I've stuck by TUF despite all the loose characters being replaced by professional hopefuls. I still enjoy it but not the good old days. Will be unreal to see a few loosies like junie, let's bang bro Julian lane etc
I think for the first time in my life, I actually felt sick seeing a KO when Ellenberger got flattened. Something about how timid Jake seems to fight nowadays when he used to be such a killer makes me feel so sorry for him when he loses... To get elbowed out cold like that and then be unconscious so long...yuck.
This event is where these older guys need to take a look at themselves. Sanchez, Lauzon and Ellenberger are about done here. Mike Perry is just a violent dude.
I definitely agree. Lauzon probably has a bit left in the tank, though. He made a tactical error in his fight which is not the first time he's had that happen. He's had quite a few losses, but I think this one just seems to seem a bit more shocking because Ray doesn't have all that big of a name. It wouldn't surprise me if he called it quits pretty soon, though. Lauzon and Sanchez have just been in too many wars to keep going too much longer (Diego especially). Ellenberger just seemed to lose his fighting spirit a few years ago.
Pretty cool moment on the MMA Hour just now. Megan Anderson was on complaining about how she couldn't get a fight and wanted to fight Cyborg, then Cyborg called in and they agreed to fight. Who knows if that will happen, but it was a cool spur-of-the-moment thing. Also, I hate to be this guy, but I saw Megan Anderson a few times in person at the UFC in Kansas City, and man does she look good. She is probably 4 or 5 inches taller than I am and is covered in tattoos. Pretty intimidating but I dig it.
That is the logical thing to happen, but they apparently can't get Jermaine to commit to anything or really give a time table. That's part of what they were talking about during the interview.
Anderson Silva has demanded an interim title fight vs. Yoel Romero or he will retire. Enjoy retirement, Spider!