🥊 The UFC Info and Prediction Thread

[tokeweed]

^  That's why, I think the UFC should match up Chim and Rakhmonov, either 170 or 185 for both will be fine and get them into a 5 round prospect vs prospect bout.  I don't think Chim will last three rounds imho.

As for the main event this weekend, I fear for Whittaker.  His durability could be questionable after seeing what DDP did to him.  And before that there were some spots in other spots when he got wobbled a bit.

[Pumared]

^  That's why, I think the UFC should match up Chim and Rakhmonov, either 170 or 185 for both will be fine and get them into a 5 round prospect vs prospect bout.  I don't think Chim will last three rounds imho.

As for the main event this weekend, I fear for Whittaker.  His durability could be questionable after seeing what DDP did to him.  And before that there were some spots in other spots when he got wobbled a bit.

The UFC needs to stop fawning over old fighters and start adding new talent from everywhere they can because the pool of good fighters is literally closing. Bring in the new talent, give them a good contract and let it all happen.

[pawel7777]

^  That's why, I think the UFC should match up Chim and Rakhmonov, either 170 or 185 for both will be fine and get them into a 5 round prospect vs prospect bout.  I don't think Chim will last three rounds imho.

What's good for the fans is not always good for the UFC, that's the problem.
From their perspective, matching up two rising stars (like Chimaev or not, he's still in that category) against each other, inherently means that one of those hype-trains will get derailed. So the best time for those kinds of fights is when both are already established and achieved everything they could, or, best yet, when they're both slightly past their prime.

[Hirose UK]

The UFC needs to stop fawning over old fighters and start adding new talent from everywhere they can because the pool of good fighters is literally closing. Bring in the new talent, give them a good contract and let it all happen.

I think that good idea because so far almost all the titles in each class have always been held by old fighters, and not all of those who are challengers can show truly dramatic fights in fighting for the title.
Indeed, some of the top fighters in their respective classes can always show great fights, but apart from the best fighters with main card fights, none of them look great, there are several other events that the UFC can actually take advantage of to have several new fighters.
But so far they have made efforts to select fighters who are worthy of getting place on contract with the UFC, some time ago there were even several fighters from Asia who tried to get into the UFC but I don't know how it went because I didn't follow it.

Presence of new fighters will create much hotter sensation, especially if they are great new fighters and are able to show success in every fight.
I think maybe Dana is thinking about this too but on the other hand he won't give out contracts and bring in fighters he doesn't think are worthy, Dana will always take the best to be here.

[bittraffic]

The UFC needs to stop fawning over old fighters and start adding new talent from everywhere they can because the pool of good fighters is literally closing. Bring in the new talent, give them a good contract and let it all happen.

I think that good idea because so far almost all the titles in each class have always been held by old fighters, and not all of those who are challengers can show truly dramatic fights in fighting for the title.
Indeed, some of the top fighters in their respective classes can always show great fights, but apart from the best fighters with main card fights, none of them look great, there are several other events that the UFC can actually take advantage of to have several new fighters.
But so far they have made efforts to select fighters who are worthy of getting place on contract with the UFC, some time ago there were even several fighters from Asia who tried to get into the UFC but I don't know how it went because I didn't follow it.

Presence of new fighters will create much hotter sensation, especially if they are great new fighters and are able to show success in every fight.
I think maybe Dana is thinking about this too but on the other hand he won't give out contracts and bring in fighters he doesn't think are worthy, Dana will always take the best to be here.

UFC has rejected lots of top talents since last year.

Cedric Doumbe is a champ lowballed by Dana, PFL outbid UFC.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/dana-white-fumbled-bag-cedric-doumbe-exploring-ufc-s-missed-chance-pfl-event-sells-less-half-hour

Salahdine Parnasse, resigned from KSW, and UFC didn't offer enough money.
https://www.mmamania.com/2024/6/18/24181487/top-free-agent-double-champion-declined-ufc-offer-was-between-20-30-times-less-than-new-ksw-deal

Paul Hughes, Cage Warriors champ. PFL also offered more when his contract was free. UFC offered him before PFL. He was lowballed by UFC again.
https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/paul-hughes-explains-choosing-pfl-013026408.html

UFC is still waiting for fighters who can fight cheaply but want fame. That's what UFC offers. It's true though, they can make UFC a big star overnight with a grand flashy entrance to the octagon.

[Pumared]

The UFC needs to stop fawning over old fighters and start adding new talent from everywhere they can because the pool of good fighters is literally closing. Bring in the new talent, give them a good contract and let it all happen.

I think that good idea because so far almost all the titles in each class have always been held by old fighters, and not all of those who are challengers can show truly dramatic fights in fighting for the title.
Indeed, some of the top fighters in their respective classes can always show great fights, but apart from the best fighters with main card fights, none of them look great, there are several other events that the UFC can actually take advantage of to have several new fighters.
But so far they have made efforts to select fighters who are worthy of getting place on contract with the UFC, some time ago there were even several fighters from Asia who tried to get into the UFC but I don't know how it went because I didn't follow it.

Presence of new fighters will create much hotter sensation, especially if they are great new fighters and are able to show success in every fight.
I think maybe Dana is thinking about this too but on the other hand he won't give out contracts and bring in fighters he doesn't think are worthy, Dana will always take the best to be here.

Something that confirms this is that several champions who won in their category went to other categories to win titles there as well. This is great, but speaking of competitiveness, it makes no sense to let this happen; they need to put good fighters to challenge them.

[shinratensei_]

UFC has rejected lots of top talents since last year.

Cedric Doumbe is a champ lowballed by Dana, PFL outbid UFC.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/dana-white-fumbled-bag-cedric-doumbe-exploring-ufc-s-missed-chance-pfl-event-sells-less-half-hour

Salahdine Parnasse, resigned from KSW, and UFC didn't offer enough money.
https://www.mmamania.com/2024/6/18/24181487/top-free-agent-double-champion-declined-ufc-offer-was-between-20-30-times-less-than-new-ksw-deal

Paul Hughes, Cage Warriors champ. PFL also offered more when his contract was free. UFC offered him before PFL. He was lowballed by UFC again.
https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/paul-hughes-explains-choosing-pfl-013026408.html

UFC is still waiting for fighters who can fight cheaply but want fame. That's what UFC offers. It's true though, they can make UFC a big star overnight with a grand flashy entrance to the octagon.

yeah its really too bad, Dana just refuse to pay the fighters of what they deserve and just went on and said ‘These guys get paid what they’re supposed to get paid’ back in 2022 kinda explains a lot his state of mind about how much a UFC fighter should be paid and this mindset probably still the same for this year and many (more specifically the new talent that got paid peanuts) just don't feel its right and choose to withdraw.

We as the audience definitely don't know about the complexities of calculating fighter pay under the hood but I think dana need to put in some effort to invest into the new talent that actually good and give them the spotlight.
I just think that covering medical expenses and just pay the fighter whatever is left is a way for UFC to destruction on the other hand he probably paid the top fighter by the millions but eventually these fighters gonna need to retire. hopefully he realizes this.

[TopTort777]

^  That's why, I think the UFC should match up Chim and Rakhmonov, either 170 or 185 for both will be fine and get them into a 5 round prospect vs prospect bout.  I don't think Chim will last three rounds imho.

As for the main event this weekend, I fear for Whittaker.  His durability could be questionable after seeing what DDP did to him.  And before that there were some spots in other spots when he got wobbled a bit.

The UFC needs to stop fawning over old fighters and start adding new talent from everywhere they can because the pool of good fighters is literally closing. Bring in the new talent, give them a good contract and let it all happen.

Are you saying that Whittaker is old? To bad then that UFC has ranking system. Ok, they will bring new talents, give them money, but then what? Imho old and rusty top guys would beat new blood. UFC have new promising prospects, and they are building their career. I think UFC has only few examples, when a new talent got top opponents from the start. Fighting is a tough business. New talents quickly becomes old. Sadly there is no manufactory, that creates new talents all the time.

[tokeweed]

^  Whittaker is 33, not that old but not that you either.  A couple more years and we see guys like Bo Nickal dominate.  I think he'll be champ before 2025 ends.

^  That's why, I think the UFC should match up Chim and Rakhmonov, either 170 or 185 for both will be fine and get them into a 5 round prospect vs prospect bout.  I don't think Chim will last three rounds imho.

As for the main event this weekend, I fear for Whittaker.  His durability could be questionable after seeing what DDP did to him.  And before that there were some spots in other spots when he got wobbled a bit.

The UFC needs to stop fawning over old fighters and start adding new talent from everywhere they can because the pool of good fighters is literally closing. Bring in the new talent, give them a good contract and let it all happen.

Wdym fawning?  Lol.  I think everybody should watch Dana White's Contender Series...  That's what you guys are missing.  These guys who went in the UFC through DCWS are some of MMA's rising talents and current 135 champ Sean O'Malley got in the UFC through DCWS.  Can't get any better than that imho.

The UFC needs to stop fawning over old fighters and start adding new talent from everywhere they can because the pool of good fighters is literally closing. Bring in the new talent, give them a good contract and let it all happen.

I think that good idea because so far almost all the titles in each class have always been held by old fighters, and not all of those who are challengers can show truly dramatic fights in fighting for the title.
Indeed, some of the top fighters in their respective classes can always show great fights, but apart from the best fighters with main card fights, none of them look great, there are several other events that the UFC can actually take advantage of to have several new fighters.
But so far they have made efforts to select fighters who are worthy of getting place on contract with the UFC, some time ago there were even several fighters from Asia who tried to get into the UFC but I don't know how it went because I didn't follow it.

Presence of new fighters will create much hotter sensation, especially if they are great new fighters and are able to show success in every fight.
I think maybe Dana is thinking about this too but on the other hand he won't give out contracts and bring in fighters he doesn't think are worthy, Dana will always take the best to be here.

UFC has rejected lots of top talents since last year.

Cedric Doumbe is a champ lowballed by Dana, PFL outbid UFC.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/dana-white-fumbled-bag-cedric-doumbe-exploring-ufc-s-missed-chance-pfl-event-sells-less-half-hour

Salahdine Parnasse, resigned from KSW, and UFC didn't offer enough money.
https://www.mmamania.com/2024/6/18/24181487/top-free-agent-double-champion-declined-ufc-offer-was-between-20-30-times-less-than-new-ksw-deal

Paul Hughes, Cage Warriors champ. PFL also offered more when his contract was free. UFC offered him before PFL. He was lowballed by UFC again.
https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/paul-hughes-explains-choosing-pfl-013026408.html

UFC is still waiting for fighters who can fight cheaply but want fame. That's what UFC offers. It's true though, they can make UFC a big star overnight with a grand flashy entrance to the octagon.

Uh...  I can't speak for how the UFC should run their business because they've been very successful...  But isn't it also because the UFC doesn't think they are good enough?

[pawel7777]

Uh...  I can't speak for how the UFC should run their business because they've been very successful...  But isn't it also because the UFC doesn't think they are good enough?

The UFC had had the first-mover advantage in the US and used that very well. So they established themselves as the most prestigious mma organisation in the world. But it's not a secret that to make good money in the UFC you have to get to the very top. Fighters from other organisations being set up to sign up with the UFC and pulling out after seeing how little the UFC offers them is not uncommon.


Any final thoughts/predictions on tomorrow's event?
I think 100% prepared Aliskerov would have what it takes to defeat Whittaker, but how well prepared will he be given the very short notice is a big question mark.
Pavlovich will likely destroy Volkov, unless he suffered some trauma from the Aspinall's KO and has lost his confidence.

I'm curious on how will Sharabutdin Magomedov (one-eyed, ginger Dagestani) perform this time. He was being hyped as the next big thing, but he wasn't that dominant in his UFC debut against Bruno Silva. He's still 12-0 with 83% KO rate, so that's something.

[cabron]

Uh...  I can't speak for how the UFC should run their business because they've been very successful...  But isn't it also because the UFC doesn't think they are good enough?

The UFC had had the first-mover advantage in the US and used that very well. So they established themselves as the most prestigious mma organisation in the world. But it's not a secret that to make good money in the UFC you have to get to the very top. Fighters from other organisations being set up to sign up with the UFC and pulling out after seeing how little the UFC offers them is not uncommon.


Any final thoughts/predictions on tomorrow's event?
I think 100% prepared Aliskerov would have what it takes to defeat Whittaker, but how well prepared will he be given the very short notice is a big question mark.
Pavlovich will likely destroy Volkov, unless he suffered some trauma from the Aspinall's KO and has lost his confidence.

I'm curious on how will Sharabutdin Magomedov (one-eyed, ginger Dagestani) perform this time. He was being hyped as the next big thing, but he wasn't that dominant in his UFC debut against Bruno Silva. He's still 12-0 with 83% KO rate, so that's something.

UFC knows how to market an event and make it so grand this is why Dana is not interested in cross-promotion.

Sharabutdin Magomedov looks scary. It's the eye that you'd be worrying about, I wonder why the sports commission allowing him to participate in this sport still after his eye incident. Bisping did the same but he hid it from the public so he got away but Shara's eye is very obvious. His kicks are brutal and he has a long reach.  Am avoiding this fight and Gastelum. He never the same since.

Rob
Sergei
Walker

[OgNasty]

So now we know (maybe I’m late to the news) that Conor McGregor dropped out of his last fight because of a pinky toe break. While I don’t blame him for wanting to be 100% in his return, he’s no doubt going to take a lot of heat for this one. I just hope we’re hearing the real story and it wasn’t drug abuse that kept him from fighting.

[erep]

UFC knows how to market an event and make it so grand this is why Dana is not interested in cross-promotion.

Sharabutdin Magomedov looks scary. It's the eye that you'd be worrying about, I wonder why the sports commission allowing him to participate in this sport still after his eye incident. Bisping did the same but he hid it from the public so he got away but Shara's eye is very obvious. His kicks are brutal and he has a long reach.  Am avoiding this fight and Gastelum. He never the same since.

Rob
Sergei
Walker

I think there is no need to debate physical issues for any fighter, the relevant sports federations have reviewed and considered the reasons so there are certain reasons and exceptions that apply when they are given permission to fight in the octagon. I like the different character of Sharabutdin Magomedov and I have only seen him fight once in his last fight, hoping he can finish his next fight with a quick knockout.

[pawel7777]

Sharabutdin Magomedov looks scary. It's the eye that you'd be worrying about, I wonder why the sports commission allowing him to participate in this sport still after his eye incident. Bisping did the same but he hid it from the public so he got away but Shara's eye is very obvious.

Could it be that the Athletic Commission has no say in the events outside the USA as that's outside their jurisdiction?
Shara made his UFC debut in Abu Dhabi and now he's fighting in Saudi Arabia.

Anyhow, he's a massive favourite, with odds at around x1.16. Whether that's fair, I don't know, as I don't know much about his opponent. Trocoli is 12-3, is on 3 wins streak (4 if counting a no-contest fight which he has originally won) and looked like he might have a height/reach advantage over Shara, as he looked bigger during the weight-ins.

[Pumared]

^  That's why, I think the UFC should match up Chim and Rakhmonov, either 170 or 185 for both will be fine and get them into a 5 round prospect vs prospect bout.  I don't think Chim will last three rounds imho.

As for the main event this weekend, I fear for Whittaker.  His durability could be questionable after seeing what DDP did to him.  And before that there were some spots in other spots when he got wobbled a bit.

The UFC needs to stop fawning over old fighters and start adding new talent from everywhere they can because the pool of good fighters is literally closing. Bring in the new talent, give them a good contract and let it all happen.

Are you saying that Whittaker is old? To bad then that UFC has ranking system. Ok, they will bring new talents, give them money, but then what? Imho old and rusty top guys would beat new blood. UFC have new promising prospects, and they are building their career. I think UFC has only few examples, when a new talent got top opponents from the start. Fighting is a tough business. New talents quickly becomes old. Sadly there is no manufactory, that creates new talents all the time.

I'm talking more in the sense of having new people to shake up the category. If you look at the fights, they're always with the same people, facing the same champion and there's little vision for the most recent ones, who have to prove themselves a lot before going for the title.

[pawel7777]

I'm talking more in the sense of having new people to shake up the category. If you look at the fights, they're always with the same people, facing the same champion and there's little vision for the most recent ones, who have to prove themselves a lot before going for the title.

Should they be fast-tracking promising, unranked guys straight to the top, without them having to really prove themselves?
That wouldn't be a good deal for anyone really. Fans would quickly lose track of who is who, if new names would be popping up too often. And the UFC and the fighters wouldn't be earning as much as they do when there's a clash between the top fighters with established brands.
It's not like the top is outside of the reach of the new and prospective fighters, they'd still get their chance eventually. Look at Aliskerov, he's currently outside of the top 15, but he was given a chance to fight a former champ and a number 3 guy. If Aliskerov wins, he will be trampolined to the top.

[tokeweed]

Uh...  I can't speak for how the UFC should run their business because they've been very successful...  But isn't it also because the UFC doesn't think they are good enough?

The UFC had had the first-mover advantage in the US and used that very well. So they established themselves as the most prestigious mma organisation in the world. But it's not a secret that to make good money in the UFC you have to get to the very top. Fighters from other organisations being set up to sign up with the UFC and pulling out after seeing how little the UFC offers them is not uncommon.


Any final thoughts/predictions on tomorrow's event?
I think 100% prepared Aliskerov would have what it takes to defeat Whittaker, but how well prepared will he be given the very short notice is a big question mark.
Pavlovich will likely destroy Volkov, unless he suffered some trauma from the Aspinall's KO and has lost his confidence.

I'm curious on how will Sharabutdin Magomedov (one-eyed, ginger Dagestani) perform this time. He was being hyped as the next big thing, but he wasn't that dominant in his UFC debut against Bruno Silva. He's still 12-0 with 83% KO rate, so that's something.

Nope, that's not totally it.  I mean sure the UFC has first mover advantage but they still organize the best events in MMA, the rest are just the B leagues imho.  You just see it when you watch the UFC then watch Bellator or the PFL.

The organization that I love watching besides the UFC is ONE FC.  But then again, still not as good as the UFC.

As for the event later, my leans are Xiao, Gadzhiyasulov, Kang, Dalby, Lima, Haqparast, Walker, Magomedov, Gastelum, Volkov, Whittaker.

As for the weigh ins, everybody made weight...

Robert Whittaker (186) vs Ikram Aliskerov (184)
Sergei Pavlovich (260) vs Alexander Volkov (258)
Kelvin Gastelum (184.5) vs Daniel Rodriguez (184)
Shara Magomedov (185.5) vs Antonio Trocoli (185.5)
Volkan Oezdemir (206) vs Johnny Walker (206)
Jared Gordon (156) vs Nasrat Haqparast (156)
Felipe Lima (145.5) vs Muhammad Naimov (145.5)
Nicolas Dalby (171) vs Rinat Fakhretdinov (170.5)
Muin Gafurov (136) vs Kyung Ho Kang (136)
Magomed Gadzhiyasulov (205) vs Brendson Ribeiro (205)
ChangHo Lee (136) vs Xiao Long (136)

[cabron]

Sharabutdin Magomedov looks scary. It's the eye that you'd be worrying about, I wonder why the sports commission allowing him to participate in this sport still after his eye incident. Bisping did the same but he hid it from the public so he got away but Shara's eye is very obvious.

Could it be that the Athletic Commission has no say in the events outside the USA as that's outside their jurisdiction?
Shara made his UFC debut in Abu Dhabi and now he's fighting in Saudi Arabia.

Anyhow, he's a massive favourite, with odds at around x1.16. Whether that's fair, I don't know, as I don't know much about his opponent. Trocoli is 12-3, is on 3 wins streak (4 if counting a no-contest fight which he has originally won) and looked like he might have a height/reach advantage over Shara, as he looked bigger during the weight-ins.

As long as Shara can add to the excitement, I guess UFC wouldn't care about the commission and Saudi also enjoys unique fighters like him. He dominates mostly with his kick, he is a striker.  Dana seems to keep Shara despite his opponents pulling out. I read Trocoli is the 3rd option.

Trocoli is 12-3 is not a weasel record. I don't follow both but his last fight was Nov 2021. Yet he is matched to a dangerous Shara. Looks like Trocoli is the only guy who can make this card crumble is he pulls out at the last minute.

[pawel7777]

Nope, that's not totally it.  I mean sure the UFC has first mover advantage but they still organize the best events in MMA, the rest are just the B leagues imho.  You just see it when you watch the UFC then watch Bellator or the PFL.

What's "best" is always subjective. If we look at the biggest attendance for example, the biggest UFC event is only on the 6th place:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mixed_martial_arts_attendance_records
Back in the days, Pride events were really big, and that was in times when mma was still relatively unknown and often frowned upon by fans of other combat sports.

Looks like Trocoli is the only guy who can make this card crumble is he pulls out at the last minute.

I don't think there's any risk of him pulling out. He made the weight and showed up on ceremonial weight-ins, so unless he trips and breaks his arm in a hotel room, the fight is guaranteed to happen.
That being said, according to tapology website his last 3 fights were cancelled. No idea if it was his fault or the opponents'.

[cabron]

Nope, that's not totally it.  I mean sure the UFC has first mover advantage but they still organize the best events in MMA, the rest are just the B leagues imho.  You just see it when you watch the UFC then watch Bellator or the PFL.

What's "best" is always subjective. If we look at the biggest attendance for example, the biggest UFC event is only on the 6th place:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mixed_martial_arts_attendance_records
Back in the days, Pride events were really big, and that was in times when mma was still relatively unknown and often frowned upon by fans of other combat sports.

Looks like Trocoli is the only guy who can make this card crumble is he pulls out at the last minute.

I don't think there's any risk of him pulling out. He made the weight and showed up on ceremonial weight-ins, so unless he trips and breaks his arm in a hotel room, the fight is guaranteed to happen.
That being said, according to tapology website his last 3 fights were cancelled. No idea if it was his fault or the opponents'.

His fight is over, He won by KO but a controversy in the part where he grabbed the fence when he could have been takedown. Johnny as careless as he is just playing around with Volkan, and as a result, he lies helpless to the ground.

I can't remember who I watched during the Price, I think it was Vanderlie, and Fedor I think was the best, fans consider him a god. Right now, PRIDE just doesn't fit to be a name for an MMA promotion. This sport is too manly to be linked to something else.