Who do you guys think take the belts this weekend? I feel like everyone is writing off Stipe. I actually think he retains. I'm leaning towards both champs retaining.
I got both champs retaining. Both a too wiley for the challengers. But I’ve been wrong before. A lot.
Same. I'm a fan of Ngannou and won't be too surprised if he wins but too many unknowns to not pick Stipe. Obviously he hits hard but Overeem fought a really stupid fight against him so that KO only tells so much. It's like people forget that Stipe has also been sleeping people left and right. Edit: and I also have Cormier although I halfway hope Volkan gets it just to regain some interest in the division.
Sooo looks like Tony vs Khabib is being scheduled...for the fourth time. It's all but confirmed that Conor is getting stripped again. Can't believe the UFC even pretended that he had a fight scheduled and canceled as "punishment" for his altercation at that Bellator event.
Well, I'll go on the record: UFC: Ngannou and Oezdemir Bellator: Rampage and Rory Ngannou and Stipe is a complete toss up, but I'll side with the power in this one. Gut feeling on Oezdemir winning, but I don't know, something feels off in Cormier for me in this one. Same thing with Chael, he does not seem to want to be there this weekend. And Rory and Lima is great, expect Rory to take it though.
As I thought, both champs were too experienced to be overwhelmed by first round KO power. Ngannou needed a fight like that though. As new as he is, he had just not experienced much out of the first round. He's going to be even more of a force after this, as scary as that is.
I know that's not what other people were expecting, but Stipe's most obvious strategy to win was the one that happened tonight. I had a very strong feeling it would play out the way it did. Same with Cormier. No reason to fuck around with power like that. Haha.
Stipe stood toe to toe with a man who had 25 pounds on him. Almost put him down too. While dodging each huge swing Ngannou had, Stipe was answering. I also couldn’t believe the endurance he had to control him as long as he did. If you payed to see Knockouts then why bother with this sport?
Truly loved Stipe in the post-fight interview too. He doesn't respect Dana or the way they treat Champions in the game (minus Woodley, who is ahead of himself). Taking the belt and having his coach give it to him was a good slap in the face they needed. Stipe is a true Champ and should be marketed as such. Instead, Dana and the rest of the company push on over hyped contenders. Ngannou was a powerful guy no doubt, but a little training was all it took for Stipe to completely dismantle him. He's a savage man and I do hope we see him fight Cain. Literally the last contender anyone can say has a chance against him. Once he wins that fight, there's no more denying he's the greatest.
Stipe might be the GOAT already, but man, a prime and healthy Cain is unlike anything we've ever seen. Their fight will be very interesting if the stars align for it. I don't think this will happen, but I honestly think Jones and Cormier would both offer some pretty interesting challenges to Stipe. Especially Jones if he could get his shit together. I could realistically see a super fight materializing between D.C. and Stipe if Cain ends up not making it back (which is always a possibility).
Cain is easily the only big threat I see for Stipe. DC, though coming off a good win, would not be able to do what he did to Volkan again to Stipe. Jones wouldn't fight in Heavyweight I don't think.