Miocic, JJ, Maia, Edgar, Branch, Alvarez. Only one I'm not too sold on is Alvarez, can see that going either way. Still can't believe JDS has a title shot, but ok.
It's not just a body slam. He holds their head in place and directs it straight to the mat. Crazy finisher, probably leaves severe head trauma .
Even w/ th NC finish headliner. Prob the best prelim card I've ever (or can remember) witnessing. Unreal Main card after Mother's Day family duty
I remember years ago on AP in this very MMA thread someone came in the thread speaking about how one of their friends was just signed to the UFC from the local circuit and was about to make his MMA debut and it's someone we should all keep an eye out for....that was Stipe Miocic. What a beast.
I was just thinking about that post the other day actually. That was really funny. I remember everyone in the thread was like "Oh yeah, that guy looks really good and seems like a great guy! Hope he goes far!" I'm always team JDS. He's my all time favorite heavyweight, but I saw tonight coming from a mile away. His win over Rothwell was his only fight in years that he looked good in, and that's mostly because he stayed mobile enough to keep away from the power. He's taken waaay too much damage starting from the second Cain fight on, and Stipe has looked sharper and sharper every appearance. Sad to see it happen, but not surprising.
I don't understand why JDS hasn't fixed that whole issue of keeping away from the cage. He did it again last night and got wrecked because of it.
I was baffled by that too. He's been doing that for years and has paid for it every time. Stipe nearly beat him the first time because of that problem, but Junior just had more of a chin back then.
Still want to see Overeem get one more crack at Stipe if he beats Werdum. While not the most intriguing fight, I'd have to think the winner of that one gets the next shot.
I wouldn't be opposed to it. I think the only people fresh enough to have any more of an interesting title shot are Ngannou and Black Beast in maybe one or two more fights. Heavyweight is tough because they've basically all beaten each other in circles so there's never really a clear number 1 contender (JDS > Rothwell > Overeem > JDS). I actually think one of the most intriguing fights for Stipe is the winner of DC and Jones. I mean, why not? Both divisions are suffering and both guys have earned it.
Agreed on Ngannou and Lewis, both could use a little more seasoning. They seem to be banking a lot on Ngannou, which is a smart move. No need to repeat Yair/Frankie with him before they have to. DC/Jones could be interesting, but I'll reserve any thoughts on that until they actually fight, because it's always something when they try to get those two together.
Yep, I think Ngannou and Lewis could both be very marketable if they do it right. Lewis has already gotten past Big Country and Browne, but I don't know how he would fair against some of the more athletic/skilled guys at the top. I agree about DC and Jones. I think if DC wins, they really push for a trilogy fight ASAP. You never know how it's going to all shake down (Jones could fuck up again or DC could miss weight like he almost did last time). I just think if there was ever a time to move up, this is it. Jones and DC rivalry is the only draw Light Heavyweight has, and there's not many clear contenders at Heavyweight besides Stipe's rematches (unless Cain gets back in the mix).
Not as cool as that but my first aid trainer was week is Mark Hunts brother and law and filled me in on all the goss while we texted him at lunch in the course
Yeah, I just don't care about this fight. Even if Conor were to win I wouldn't care. Strip him of the belt and get everyone else moving in the right direction.
It is annoying, but can you imagine if he does somehow beat Mayweather? Whether or not I think it's true, people will look at MMA in a very different way. The arguments of whether or not an MMA fighter can stand with a boxer will be over, and McGregor will make history for a second time.
Even if McGregor does win, will it really change perception of MMA as a sport? Or even grow it? I find that hard to believe.
Change the perception of MMA as a sport to people who don't care for it or dismiss it? No, of course not. But the life long debate of who are more skilled/can an MMA star spar with a boxer will be answered. And it certainly has the potential to draw in boxing fans/other sports-oriented people.