UFC 223: Nurmagomedov vs ??? Info Prediction, MCGREGOR ATTACKS BUS LOL!

[tokeweed]

Date: Saturday, April 7th
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass): 22:59 BCT / 3pm PST / 6pm EST
Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1): 1:00 BCT / 5pm PST / 8pm EST
Main Card (PPV): 3:00 BCT / 7pm PST / 10pm EST
Live Streams: http://www.fìrstrow.eu/




Main Card (PPV)

Tony Ferguson (23-3) vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov (25-0) (Lightweight Championship)
Rose Namajunas (7-3) vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (14-1) (Women's Strawweight Championship)
Renato Moicano (11-1-1) vs. Calvin Kattar (18-2) (Featherweight)
Michael Chiesa (14-3) vs. Anthony Pettis (20-7) (Lightweight)
Al Iaquinta (13-3-1) vs. Paul Felder (15-3) (Lightweight)

Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1)

Karolina Kowalkiewicz (11-2) vs. Felice Herrig (14-6) (Women's Strawweight)   
Ray Borg (11-3) vs. Brandon Moreno (14-4) (Flyweight)
Joe Lauzon (27-14) vs. Chris Gruetzamacher (13-3) (Lightweight)
Evan Dunham (18-6-1) vs. Olivier Aubin-Mercier (10-2) (Lightweight)

Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)

Alex Caceres (13-11) vs. Artem Lobov (13-14-1) (Featherweight)
Bec Rawlings (7-7) vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith (5-3) (Women's Flyweight)
Devin Clark (8-2) vs. Mike Rodriguez (9-2) (Light Heavyweight)
Zabit Magomedsharipov (14-1) vs. Kyle Bochniak (8-2) (Featherweight)

Other

- During an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Dana White officially stated that the fight between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov would be for official lightweight championship belt, not the interim title, as long as both fighters remained healthy and made weight.

- Mairbek Taisumov was expected to face Evan Dunham at the event. However, Taisumov was removed from the fight on March 9 for alleged visa issues, restricting his travel. Olivier Aubin-Mercier replaced Taisumov on March 11.

Thanks to Puertorican for letting me use this content.

[Hydrogen]

Notes.

-BJJ Scout posted an interesting and worth watching post fight study of Khabib Nurmagomedov's last fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FrjANY1T40

-Joanna Jedrzejczyk directed some of the blame for her last loss against Rose @ her nutrition and weight cutting crew. It will be interesting to see if that change makes a difference in the rematch.

-Calvin Kattar's last fight where he finished Shane Burgos via strikes was very impressive. He is a hot prospect atm for sure.

-There are some interesting contrasts in these fights. Michael Chiesa doesn't do well if he can't get his takedown. Anthony Pettis often doesn't do well if he is taken down. Evan Dunham has wrestled a lot in his last few fights. UFC matchmakers seem to have given him one of the best wrestlers in the division in a "test your might" mortal kombat type of thing.

[SaShiRaJaVu]

-Joanna Jedrzejczyk directed some of the blame for her last loss against Rose @ her nutrition and weight cutting crew. It will be interesting to see if that change makes a difference in the rematch.

She was defeated clean and she just wanted to make an excuse for her loss,if she is the champion she has to make sure that she is on weight rather than making it hard for her on the final day of weigh ins and blaming the loss for her weight cutting crew,the amount of trash she was speaking before the Rose fight was too much and she fell on her ass.

-There are some interesting contrasts in these fights. Michael Chiesa doesn't do well if he can't get his takedown. Anthony Pettis often doesn't do well if he is taken down.

Anthony Pettis is the greatest disappointment after the introduction of drug testing,he was super invisible fighter before that and now he is just a mere reflection of his past wins but it is a good opportunity for Michael Chiesa to defeat a former champion and improve his rankings.

[bbc.reporter]

During an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Dana White officially stated that the fight between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov would be for official lightweight championship belt, not the interim title, as long as both fighters remained healthy and made weight.

But there was also a press conference 2 months ago where Dana said he will not strip Conor out of his lightweight title and that we should wait for April 7 to see what happens.

Are we supposed to be excited, because I am very confused.

I speculate that we might see a publicity stunt like Conor going in the octagon, with his own belt, challenging the winner like what the WWE wrestlers do hehehe.

[Sithara007]

I'll be watching Ferguson vs Nurmagomedov. Fights between Russians and the Americans are always enjoyable and Khabib Nurmagomedov is someone who has remained undefeated till now. I am also interested in the second Russia vs US match (Caceres vs Lobov), although I am not sure whether anyone will be livestreaming it.

[tokeweed]

^  Lol.  The cold war has been over for 30 years dude...  

Anyway, watch this video below.  Skip it to the final part.  Look at that thick metal pipe Ferguson has been kicking.  Lmao.

Dana White:  'Unfortunately the main event for UFC 223 is cancelled due to Ferguson overdoing his training with a thick ass metal pipe two weeks before the bout'.  Lololol.

This is How Ferguson is Preparing for Khabib
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfMcDHCvi40

[btc_angela]

I'll be watching Ferguson vs Nurmagomedov. Fights between Russians and the Americans are always enjoyable and Khabib Nurmagomedov is someone who has remained undefeated till now. I am also interested in the second Russia vs US match (Caceres vs Lobov), although I am not sure whether anyone will be livestreaming it.

Live stream has already been posted by tokeweed.

I advise you to watch Rocky IV. That's the true American vs Russian fight. 

Looks like Ferguson is doing the mental thing now with his metal pipe training. Although I have seen Manny Pacquiao being plummeted by Freddie Roach in the stomach to make it strong and able to able heavy blows.

Pretty solid card. As for Joanna Jedrzejczyk, we all have heard her excuses. Rose beat him fair and square. Its time for her to prove though has tough she is and how much more she want's the title back.

Still undecided between Khabib and Tony here.

[Zlatna Kopa4ka]

Nurmagomedov is a straight up beast. I think he will beat Ferguson. Fantastic last fights, being unbeaten is something that only a few can achieve. Go Nurma!

[bbc.reporter]

@btc_angela. I reckon it is more than doing a mental thing. Tony has thinner and weaker legs compared to his fellow fighters. If you watch his fights from before, you would notice that he would easily be swept away from the leg kicks done on him.

Also, I predict that Khabib's wrestling will be too much for Tony. After watching his fight versus Edson Barboza, it already made impression on what might occur on Khabib versus Tony.

[btc_angela]

@btc_angela. I reckon it is more than doing a mental thing. Tony has thinner and weaker legs compared to his fellow fighters. If you watch his fights from before, you would notice that he would easily be swept away from the leg kicks done on him.

Maybe that chicken legs could be a advantage? Fast feet and can easily get out from Khabib tenacity.

Also, I predict that Khabib's wrestling will be too much for Tony. After watching his fight versus Edson Barboza, it already made impression on what might occur on Khabib versus Tony.

I watched Khabib's technique in youtube and there's one guy who analyze his every movement and it seems he combine a lot of techniques by greats like GSP and others. I'm still undecided though. Lol. But for sure I'm gonna be betting on this one and I want to see the odds before making my final call.

[bbc.reporter]

@btc_angela. The odds are already all over the internet hehe. Khabib is the favorite. I reckon his fight versus Edson Barboza had made a good impression and has increased his odds on winning in the eyes of the oddsmakers.

I remember the odds when Khabib and Tony were last scheduled to fight were much closer.

[Hydrogen]

Forgot to mention, Ray Borg versus Brandon Moreno is an interesting match up for a few different reasons.

Ray Borg is known primarily for his wrestling and scrambling ability. Brandon Moreno isn't as established a grappler/wrestler as Ray Borg. BUT in the past I think Moreno has been trained by Henry Cejudo and been a training/sparring partner of Moreno. So while most might expect Ray Borg to have the advantage in wrestling, it is possible Moreno could have the better wrestling credentials in terms of who he trains with.

I have a feeling the next two weeks could pass slowly and a lot of people appear to be hoping and praying that neither Khabib nor Tony Ferguson are injured so we can see them fight(unlike the last time). Haha.

[bbc.reporter]

@Hydrogen. What about Karolina Kowalkiewicz versus Felice Herrig? That fight should have a slot in the main card and it deserves more attention than Michael Cheisa versus Anthony Pettis, I reckon.

Also there's drama. Karolina is fighting to be back for a title contention slot while Felice is trying to break in the top 5 and do a championship campaign of her own. It's a more competitive match up.

[Hydrogen]

@Hydrogen. What about Karolina Kowalkiewicz versus Felice Herrig? That fight should have a slot in the main card and it deserves more attention than Michael Cheisa versus Anthony Pettis, I reckon.

Also there's drama. Karolina is fighting to be back for a title contention slot while Felice is trying to break in the top 5 and do a championship campaign of her own. It's a more competitive match up.

Karolina hasn't looked good in a long time. She is a former contender but after losing to Joanna and being finished by Claudia Gadelha in 1 round, it seems as if her confidence has suffered. Her kickboxing never looked great, one of her biggest strengths was her cardio. Now that other athletes are improving their dieting and nutrition and can match her pace, Karolina isn't as successful(although she does look great in a bikini). I think Karolina is falling behind in the training area. She's not improving her skills as time passes, if anything she might be regressing and getting worse over time.

Felice Herrig on the other hand, has improved. I think a lot of people thought Felice had a tremendously bad attitude and negative mentality from her time on the ultimate fighter. Not 100% certain on that. Felice might seem like a big drop in competition for Karolina but don't count Felice Herrig out!

[Baofeng]

@btc_angela. The odds are already all over the internet hehe. Khabib is the favorite. I reckon his fight versus Edson Barboza had made a good impression and has increased his odds on winning in the eyes of the oddsmakers.

I remember the odds when Khabib and Tony were last scheduled to fight were much closer.

Right the odds where pretty much closer then. I think Khabib is the favorite because he is really a different fighter and we have been anticipating this fight for so long that every one is really pump about it.

I will go with Khabib here, he has too much tools in his arsenal that Tony needs to overcome. I think Khabib's wrestling will be put into display once again.

[bbc.reporter]

@Hydrogen. Yes, I reckon Felice Herrig will win that fight too. She is one tough mama hehehe.

@Baofeng. You have it wrong. Khabib is the more basic fighter, but has the best wrestling in all of MMA today. While Tony has more tools than Khabib, and the more acrobatic fighter doing flips and other strange technics on the mat.

But would that be enough to beat Khabib? I reckon, no. I base this from the Micheal Johnson and the Edson Barboza fights.

[tokeweed]

Here's a funny video, but def has some truth in it.  I think Ferguson has the psychological edge coming in this bout by trolling Khabib and sh*t.  But would that be enough in getting the 'W'?

It could imo.

UFC 223 Preview:  Khabib Nurmagomedov Faceoff Breakdown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVbV06MVzx8

[darkangel11]

-Joanna Jedrzejczyk directed some of the blame for her last loss against Rose @ her nutrition and weight cutting crew. It will be interesting to see if that change makes a difference in the rematch.

This is going to be interesting indeed. Namajunas isn't a good fighter, lacking the skill, especially in the punches. You could see it in her fight with  VanZant which she barely won against a fighter that is more of a celebrity than a fighter. Jedrzejczyk was always a great boxer. In that last fight she wasn't herself. Very slow, got outplayed, that's it. I hope she'll show more this time.

[Hydrogen]

This is going to be interesting indeed. Namajunas isn't a good fighter, lacking the skill, especially in the punches. You could see it in her fight with  VanZant which she barely won against a fighter that is more of a celebrity than a fighter. Jedrzejczyk was always a great boxer. In that last fight she wasn't herself. Very slow, got outplayed, that's it. I hope she'll show more this time.

Namajunas has come a long way since losing the ultimate fighter finale against Carla Esparza for the 115 lb title. I think somewhere along the line, Valentina Shevchenko and Rose Namajunas began training/sparring together. Also Rose seems to have tightened up her diet and nutrition game which improved her cardio dramatically over where it was in the past, where she used to fade and slow down in her fights. Rose could have come a long way and progressed a lot.

Jedrzejczyk's kickboxing was overrated imo. I think before Jedrzejczyk moved to american top team her kickboxing was better than Karolina's but not by a lot. Valentina vs Joanna could be a good rematch in MMA as its been said Valentina is 3-0 against Joanna in kickboxing.

[bbc.reporter]

@Hydrogen. I agree that Rose has come a long way since the Ultimate Fighter, but I highly disagree that Joanna is overrated.

Joanna may not have the power to knock out her opponents, but her skills are very exceptional, not only in her division, but as a pound for pound comparison against the rest. Including the men's divisions.

Also, I like Rose but Joanna will get her belt back.