🥊 The UFC Info and Prediction Thread

[TopTort777]

I guess if we take any fighter and search for his story, then his life story would be worthy of a Netflix adaptation. People rarely go train any combat sport because of happy life. People rarely become a professional fighter only because they are good at beating other guys. Imho there is never a guy, whos parents were billionaires, and due to boredom, he began training martial art, all of a sudden he realises that he has a talent and becomes a champion. This is plot of a movie from 80s-90s only.

[1715171072]

1715171072

[tokeweed]

Guys, I watched Dvalishvili's recent fights again today and I'm dead serious, this guy is not natural, he either has a lung anomaly or takes enormous amount of EPO. Guy doesn't tire, he can fight round after round without losing stamina, he fights like he is a robot. I know that's why they call him The Machine but I still don't know what to say, I am under huge impression.
Just watch this video from reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ufc/comments/11p403p/its_no_joke_when_they_said_merab_has_infinite/
This guy is unreal!

I think at any point in an athlete's time competing, they will use some form of PED to give them an edge.  So you saying that the top UFC fighters are using, I won't take it against you and you know what, I totally agree.  But really I think it should be regulated rather than an outright banned.  And tbh I don't really care.  I just want to watch these guys throw leather at the peak of their abilities.  Amd PED's are the way.  

Here's a couple more vids to watch...  Keep in mind that the next event is gonna be in high altitude in Mexico City.  Fighters are gonna gas out.  

UFC Free Fight:  Royval vs KKF
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSVtG0eSU0k

UFC Free Fight:  Ortega vs Swanson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWhhL82f2tI

And here's jeremypwr's Multi Master Challenge.

UFC Fight Night 237:  Multi Master Challenge
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5485713.0

[Rampagoe004]

I guess if we take any fighter and search for his story, then his life story would be worthy of a Netflix adaptation. People rarely go train any combat sport because of happy life. People rarely become a professional fighter only because they are good at beating other guys. Imho there is never a guy, whos parents were billionaires, and due to boredom, he began training martial art, all of a sudden he realises that he has a talent and becomes a champion. This is plot of a movie from 80s-90s only.

Btw about movies, I'm really looking forward to a movie about Ilia Topuria that is said to be released after she defeats Volk. This person is really brave and very confident. He wrote in his bio that he was the featherweight champion before the match even started. Man, this guy really put his career and self-respect on the line. Honestly I'm betting on Volk winning because he's beaten a wide variety of fighters. But what was unexpected was the fact that the Topuria had very precise power and timing. Him winning that match was already incredible. And winning by knockout against the No. 3 ranked P4P is something worthy of a movie ending.

[TopTort777]

On to the next event...  Decent card imho.

Main Card (ESPN/ESPN+)
Brandon Moreno vs Brandon Royval            
Yair Rodríguez vs Brian Ortega            
Daniel Zellhuber vs Francisco Prado            
Raul Rosas Jr. vs Ricky Turcios            
Yazmin Jauregui vs Sam Hughes            
Manuel Torres vs Chris Duncan

Preliminary Card (ESPN/ESPN+)
Cristian Quiñonez vs Raoni Barcelos            
Jesus Santos Aguilar vs Mateus Mendonça            
Edgar Chairez vs Daniel Lacerda            
Claudio Puelles vs Fares Ziam            
Luis Rodriguez vs Denys Bondar            
Victor Altamirano vs Felipe dos Santos            
Erik Silva vs Muhammad Naimov   

I would say that everyone from the prelims looks nonames to me I havent heard anything about those guys. Cant even see a one promising name. While in main card I have found at least 3 fights to watch. Main and co-main fight, and Raul Rosas Jr. That kid got some charisma and hype. Dont forget that he is the youngest UFC fighter in history. Signed contract at 17 yo. I remember how I looked, what I did and what I have achieved at 17 Probably winning counter strike 1.6 tournament in the hood was my biggest achievement that time

[Synchronice]

I think at any point in an athlete's time competing, they will use some form of PED to give them an edge.  So you saying that the top UFC fighters are using, I won't take it against you and you know what, I totally agree.  But really I think it should be regulated rather than an outright banned.  And tbh I don't really care.  I just want to watch these guys throw leather at the peak of their abilities.  Amd PED's are the way.  

Here's a couple more vids to watch...  Keep in mind that the next event is gonna be in high altitude in Mexico City.  Fighters are gonna gas out.  

I have used PEDs myself and have a very good knowledge in pharmacology. Merab's stamina is out of this world, the only thing that can give you this level of stamina is EPO (and still you need a super amount of work) and you have to be on it the moment you fight, it's not like cycle in the past and keep benefits later, it's only active when you use it and it's super dangerous drug, it's very dangerous. I just hope that he is one in a billion (billion, not million) and I also hope that he won't die from heart attack. I wonder, how high his hemoglobin really is

[jakelyson]

I guess if we take any fighter and search for his story, then his life story would be worthy of a Netflix adaptation. People rarely go train any combat sport because of happy life. People rarely become a professional fighter only because they are good at beating other guys. Imho there is never a guy, whos parents were billionaires, and due to boredom, he began training martial art, all of a sudden he realises that he has a talent and becomes a champion. This is plot of a movie from 80s-90s only.

But there could be something like that as well a plot on why he became a fighter for me not because he is the son of a billionaire he would just become one and will be satisfied with what he has, for sure there is always will be a person that could potentially want something new entirely about his life that is not lining to his own father for sure there will be a person like that, and not because your parents is working in the office it doesn't mean that their child will also be working like that.

I think at any point in an athlete's time competing, they will use some form of PED to give them an edge.  So you saying that the top UFC fighters are using, I won't take it against you and you know what, I totally agree.  But really I think it should be regulated rather than an outright banned.  And tbh I don't really care.  I just want to watch these guys throw leather at the peak of their abilities.  Amd PED's are the way.  

Here's a couple more vids to watch...  Keep in mind that the next event is gonna be in high altitude in Mexico City.  Fighters are gonna gas out.  

UFC Free Fight:  Royval vs KKF
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSVtG0eSU0k

UFC Free Fight:  Ortega vs Swanson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWhhL82f2tI

And here's jeremypwr's Multi Master Challenge.

UFC Fight Night 237:  Multi Master Challenge
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5485713.0

It is all speculation if Merab Dvalishvili is using PEDs then the UFC will surely test him if he is positive or not because even though the USADA is not in the UFC anymore there are other organizations that are testing the fighters with drugs like this if that company is not transparent with the results then the UFC is likely just controlling the test results if they are not transparent with the fighters results.

[tokeweed]

On to the next event...  Decent card imho.

Main Card (ESPN/ESPN+)
Brandon Moreno vs Brandon Royval            
Yair Rodríguez vs Brian Ortega            
Daniel Zellhuber vs Francisco Prado            
Raul Rosas Jr. vs Ricky Turcios            
Yazmin Jauregui vs Sam Hughes            
Manuel Torres vs Chris Duncan

Preliminary Card (ESPN/ESPN+)
Cristian Quiñonez vs Raoni Barcelos            
Jesus Santos Aguilar vs Mateus Mendonça            
Edgar Chairez vs Daniel Lacerda            
Claudio Puelles vs Fares Ziam            
Luis Rodriguez vs Denys Bondar            
Victor Altamirano vs Felipe dos Santos            
Erik Silva vs Muhammad Naimov   

I would say that everyone from the prelims looks nonames to me I havent heard anything about those guys. Cant even see a one promising name. While in main card I have found at least 3 fights to watch. Main and co-main fight, and Raul Rosas Jr. That kid got some charisma and hype. Dont forget that he is the youngest UFC fighter in history. Signed contract at 17 yo. I remember how I looked, what I did and what I have achieved at 17 Probably winning counter strike 1.6 tournament in the hood was my biggest achievement that time

Yeah obsure names for sure but I like to see Felipe Dos Santos, the guy who fought Manel Kape on short notice and did pretty well.  Fares Ziam from France is a pretty good striker, let's see how he does vs a straight up grappler in Claudio Puelles.  Raoni Barcelos is pretty good but I feel like he's gonna gas out at high altitude.  

I mean just watch all the fights at every event and appreciate them for what they are.  Make small bets to keep it interesting if you want...  The next time they won't look obscure as before.

UFC Free Fight:  Ortega vs TKZ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr5-ya6XWFI

[yazher]

I guess if we take any fighter and search for his story, then his life story would be worthy of a Netflix adaptation. People rarely go train any combat sport because of happy life. People rarely become a professional fighter only because they are good at beating other guys. Imho there is never a guy, whos parents were billionaires, and due to boredom, he began training martial art, all of a sudden he realises that he has a talent and becomes a champion. This is plot of a movie from 80s-90s only.

I don't think that would ever happen to some people who were raised and have everything they need at home and they can just simply ask their parents for everything that is a trend today. You can see how Manny Pacquiao's son fights and it looks like nothing from his father's talent even though he taught him well what to do. A person needs determination and high aspiration to achieve his honorable goals and that only happens if a person is raised in a harsh yet positive environment which leads him to dream and wants to be a champion one day. That's why in the tradition of the Arabs back then, they let their babies be raised by the Bedouin Arabs to make them strong at a younger age.

[TopTort777]

I guess if we take any fighter and search for his story, then his life story would be worthy of a Netflix adaptation. People rarely go train any combat sport because of happy life. People rarely become a professional fighter only because they are good at beating other guys. Imho there is never a guy, whos parents were billionaires, and due to boredom, he began training martial art, all of a sudden he realises that he has a talent and becomes a champion. This is plot of a movie from 80s-90s only.

But there could be something like that as well a plot on why he became a fighter for me not because he is the son of a billionaire he would just become one and will be satisfied with what he has, for sure there is always will be a person that could potentially want something new entirely about his life that is not lining to his own father for sure there will be a person like that, and not because your parents is working in the office it doesn't mean that their child will also be working like that.

Search for a place where he was born. If the kid does not go to any wrestling or striking gym, he will be bullied everywhere and every time. Plus in the place where he is from, there isnt much to do. Its either go to gym with other boys, or I dont know, pick up a stick and hit grass. This is the problem of all Dagestani kids or if it is proper to say "mountain" kids. There is nothing for them to do. Either train or sit and wait till you retire.

[Rampagoe004]

I think at any point in an athlete's time competing, they will use some form of PED to give them an edge.  So you saying that the top UFC fighters are using, I won't take it against you and you know what, I totally agree.  But really I think it should be regulated rather than an outright banned.  And tbh I don't really care.  I just want to watch these guys throw leather at the peak of their abilities.  Amd PED's are the way.  

I agree with you. I honestly don't have a problem with PEDs. We can see fighters at their peak abilities if they use PEDs. I also don't know whether Merab is wearing it or not. But of course there will be big risks if you use it in dangerous doses. I don't know if the UFC actually banned PEDs or EPOs since USADA is no longer with the UFC either. But it looks like it's still illegal.

Merab's performance is truly like a beast. His staying power even has people asking whether he uses PEDs or not. If not then I think he will be the fighter with the best cardio in UFC history.

[Synchronice]

I guess if we take any fighter and search for his story, then his life story would be worthy of a Netflix adaptation. People rarely go train any combat sport because of happy life. People rarely become a professional fighter only because they are good at beating other guys. Imho there is never a guy, whos parents were billionaires, and due to boredom, he began training martial art, all of a sudden he realises that he has a talent and becomes a champion. This is plot of a movie from 80s-90s only.

I don't think that would ever happen to some people who were raised and have everything they need at home and they can just simply ask their parents for everything that is a trend today. You can see how Manny Pacquiao's son fights and it looks like nothing from his father's talent even though he taught him well what to do. A person needs determination and high aspiration to achieve his honorable goals and that only happens if a person is raised in a harsh yet positive environment which leads him to dream and wants to be a champion one day. That's why in the tradition of the Arabs back then, they let their babies be raised by the Bedouin Arabs to make them strong at a younger age.

Rich people usually don't participate into sports because it's physically exhausting and they have the chance and connections to be behind the scenes in sport and still get as much money, if not more, as top athletes get. By the way, as far as I know B.J. Penn was rich before his fighting career. There we have Jake and Logan Paul brothers that were very reach before fighting. I don't call them fighters but still, it's a hard work and dedication to become what they become in fighting. On another hand, Bodybuilding is a very tough sport too, you have to say no to happiness to become a bodybuilder. Chris Bumstead, a 5 time Mr Olympia men's classic winner, is from Canada, comes from a pretty decent family. He was not a rich but not poor either and had a very high quality of life compared to many people. Besides quality of life, he is super handsome and could party all the day and attract tons of hot girls but instead he chose bodybuilding and become one of the greatest bodybuilder ever. But it's true that rich people rarely choose this path.

[tokeweed]

I think at any point in an athlete's time competing, they will use some form of PED to give them an edge.  So you saying that the top UFC fighters are using, I won't take it against you and you know what, I totally agree.  But really I think it should be regulated rather than an outright banned.  And tbh I don't really care.  I just want to watch these guys throw leather at the peak of their abilities.  Amd PED's are the way.  

I agree with you. I honestly don't have a problem with PEDs. We can see fighters at their peak abilities if they use PEDs. I also don't know whether Merab is wearing it or not. But of course there will be big risks if you use it in dangerous doses. I don't know if the UFC actually banned PEDs or EPOs since USADA is no longer with the UFC either. But it looks like it's still illegal.

Merab's performance is truly like a beast. His staying power even has people asking whether he uses PEDs or not. If not then I think he will be the fighter with the best cardio in UFC history.

Oh pretty sure it's illegal as they'll be banned in multiple states.  That would be dumb and bad for business.  :/

As for Merab, we can't really say if he's on it or not but then again the joke is who really isn't using performance enhancers?    They're all on it.

Anyway, I was watching this again and I'm like Ortega would've won at least the first round if he hadn't dislocated his shoulder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nop6J8uY6Ls

What do you guys think?  I'd like to take Ortega but the somewhat long lay off from an injury and taking a top 5 guy right of the bat could be a mistake.

[vennali]

Ilia Topuria becomes the youngest active UFC champ. It seems like 29-33 is a prime age to become a UFC champion. It takes time to build a reputation now that UFC is very popular and the roaster is stacked. Is Jon Jones the youngest ever UFC champ at the age of 23?

[Welsh]

Not sure I've recovered from Volk losing, especially in the way he did. I'm staying away from this next card though, at altitude, which I'm not entirely sure how much of a difference it makes considering the height. I've been at altitude, and much higher than where this is located, but I've never had to train at the intensity they do in the fight, so it's still a bit of a mystery to me how much it effects the fighters. Also, its a tight card anyhow, some huge favourites on the bookies side, but in reality I think most of the underdogs are a decent chance, and some of the odds should be closer. Anyway, dodging this card from a betting perspective.

[pawel7777]

Ilia Topuria becomes the youngest active UFC champ. It seems like 29-33 is a prime age to become a UFC champion. It takes time to build a reputation now that UFC is very popular and the roaster is stacked. Is Jon Jones the youngest ever UFC champ at the age of 23?

Yup, Jon Jones was the youngest UFC champion ever, and now it seems impossible for anyone to beat him. That was a mixture of incredible talent, physical abilities and the fact he was ready to fight very often. Looking at his record, he fought 7 times in a span of 4 months in 2008. That surely got him noticed by the UFC. The times were different back then, the competition was not as strong as it is today and I don't even think any current fighter would be allowed to have an official fights every week like he did at the beginning of his career.

The top 5 youngest UFC champs:

#1. Jon Jones, 23 years
#2. José Aldo, 24 years
#3. Josh Barnett, 24 years
#4. Carlos Newton, 24 years
#5. Frank Shamrock, 25 years

Topuria did everything right in his career and he didn't even broke to the top 10. But he has at least 5 years of peak abilities to reign.

[jakelyson]

Ilia Topuria becomes the youngest active UFC champ. It seems like 29-33 is a prime age to become a UFC champion. It takes time to build a reputation now that UFC is very popular and the roaster is stacked. Is Jon Jones the youngest ever UFC champ at the age of 23?

For sure those 2 36 years guys have to be careful in their next fight as the UFC champion is changing 1 after the other with the younger guys today, and Ilia Topuria having the youngest age in the roster is surely one of a kind for his young age he already attain the title of a champion for sure that is a hard feat to get, and likely the younger age fighters keeps on getting the older fighters in the UFC.


My pick for the UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2

Brandon Moreno vs. Brandon Royval

In this fight, it should have been Amir Albazi and not Brandon Royval as the opponent for Brandon Moreno but because of unknown reasons he withdrew and was changed to Brandon Royval, so this is short notice for Royval, and looking at the odds we have 1.31 for Moreno and 3.15 for Royval, my prediction for me I think that Brandon Royval has a decent striking not that crazy but Moreno for me has the technical striking and has a great offensive grappling but Royval movements are crazy and sometimes you can not see his next move will be but for me in this fight, Moreno can submit Royval so my pick is Brandon Moreno.

Yair Rodriguez vs. Brian Ortega

For this fight, Yair Rodriguez comes from a loss against Alexander Volkanovski while Brian Ortega comes from 2 consecutive losses both from Alexander Volkanovski and Yair Rodriguez while last fight for Brian Ortega was on July 16, 2022, he took a break for 1 year, while Yair Rodriguez was active in the UFC and base from their last fight the striking and those kicks was really accurate and Rodriguez also has a takedown defense and because in their 1st fight, Ortega's shoulder pops out while even though that didn't happen I think that Yair Rodriguez can win this so my pick is Yair Rodriguez.

Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Ricky Turcios

The odds for this fight were 1.40 for Raul Rosas, and 2.75 for Ricky Turcios, for this fight Raul Rosas Jr. has better grappling and wrestling and he could win this by submission while Ricky Turcios was really great with the striking but I think it has some issue with his power and he can never win this with a knockout so for sure Raul Rosas Jr. can win this by his wrestling and with a submission so my pick is Raul Rosas Jr.

[TopTort777]

It seems like 29-33 is a prime age to become a UFC champion. 

Many fighters say that 30 +/-1 year is fighters peak form. Specially in light divisions. After 32 their reflexes are no longer the same. They lose greatly in speed. It is for heavyweight acceptable to be +40 and still fight and show good results. As they rely more in strength and skill. Speed for them is secondary. And they rely on one punch KO alot. There a lot of ages champs. For example Glover Texeira became lightheavy champ at 42. But light guys yeah, become champs early and retire early.

[tokeweed]

Ilia Topuria becomes the youngest active UFC champ. It seems like 29-33 is a prime age to become a UFC champion. It takes time to build a reputation now that UFC is very popular and the roaster is stacked. Is Jon Jones the youngest ever UFC champ at the age of 23?

But you know...  For a heavyweight, Aspinall is really young.  Heavyweights tend to have longer careers and the average age of the weight class is higher.  He could be paving the way for the young guns tho.  I think the Russian dude he fought is around the same age as him.

Anyway here are the weight ins guys...  A couple of fighters missed weight.  But no biggie as those two belong in the same match.  

UFC Fight Night:  Weigh In
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCg8JG234oQ

UFC Fight Night:  Face Off
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVShCnHI7jc

Brandon Moreno (126) vs Brandon Royval (126)
Brian Ortega (146) vs Yair Rodriguez (146)
Francisco Prado (156) vs Daniel Zellhuber (156)
Raul Rosas Jr. (136) vs Ricky Turcios (136)
Sam Hughes (115) vs Yazmin Jauregui (115)
Chris Duncan (156) vs Manuel Torres (155)
Raoni Barcelos (135) vs Jose Quinonez (135)
Jesus Aguilar (126) vs Mateus Mendonca (126)
Edgar Chairez (131)* vs Daniel Lacerda (127)*
Claudio Puelles (156) vs Fares Ziam (156)
Denys Bondar (126) vs Ronaldo Rodriguez (126)
Victor Altamirano (125) vs Felipe dos Santos (124)
Muhammad Naimov (146) vs Erik Silva (146)

*Missed weight

[Lykslyks]

In my opinion I guess I am not surprised but was definitely a little unexpected. I expected him to actually be the winner in this fight. But anyway I have to give credit to his opponent. That dude is good. Even though some people say that fighters have become a little careful with their approach because they want to keep a clean record of zero losses but I still think he is pretty damn good.

I really thought that Volkanovski was winning this one, I never imagined that Ilia Topuria could make use of that power of his to take Volk, as Volkanovski also has a great style in this fight he has seen that but now that Ilia Topuria is the champion what is next for him he could go with Max Holloway, or have a rematch against Volkanovski, but for me, Ilia Topuria can beat all of those guys, right now he is sitting on his moment and for me, Topuria is one unique fighter,


Brandon Moreno vs. Brandon Royval

Brandon Moreno [1.34] - For this fight, I guess both fighters got decent striking but Brandon Moreno has crispier movement and his grappling offense is really solid against Royval so for sure I really think that this is also going to be close as Royval has some crazy moves that sometimes unpredictable but for me my pick for this fight is Brandon Moreno.

Yair Rodriguez vs. Brian Ortega

Yair Rodriguez [1.69] - For this fight, I like the way how Yair Rodriguez is performing his striking was really superb, and in their 1st fight I guess Rodriguez was really lucky that time, as Ortega was injured as I think even with the takedown defense I think Brian Ortega can eventually take Rodriguez into the ground and from that I think that Ortega will be more punishing so my pick is the grappler Brian Ortega.

Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Ricky Turcios

Raul Rosas Jr. [1.42] - For this fight, Ricky Turcios has decent striking and some grappling but for me Raul Rosas Jr. has the power this is surely something after his lost he went on with the training that is for sure so I think this will be a win for Rosas with a Submission win for him.

[pawel7777]

Yair Rodriguez [1.69] - For this fight, I like the way how Yair Rodriguez is performing his striking was really superb, and in their 1st fight I guess Rodriguez was really lucky that time, as Ortega was injured as I think even with the takedown defense I think Brian Ortega can eventually take Rodriguez into the ground and from that I think that Ortega will be more punishing so my pick is the grappler Brian Ortega.

I'm 100% rooting for Yair here, as I really like his fighting style and the entertainment value he brings into all his fights, but I have a feeling Ortega could make a surprise here. I think he'll give up on the idea of having a striking match against Yair and will be shooting for takedowns from early on to neutralise Yair's biggest advantage.

Not sure I've recovered from Volk losing, especially in the way he did. (...)

I kind of hope he'll get a rematch. He deserves it and there aren't many better options for Topuria.
Alternatively, Volk could be matched up with a winner of Rodriguez/Ortega and, if he wins, then he could get a rematch. And Topuria could fight Holloway next, unless he performs poorly in the UFC 300 against Gaethje.