🥊 The UFC Info and Prediction Thread

[notblox1]

Conor McGregor is past his prime. And of course, with the injuries that he is facing right now, it will be really difficult for him to actually bring effective results. We thought he would have a good fight against Dustin Portier. But he ended up breaking his own leg. The only thing he can do well still is talking shit on Twitter.

That is not the problem only with Conor McGregor, and we can see what injuries have done for LightHeavyweight division top guys getting serious injuries.
MMA is deadly dangerous combat sport and every time you enter in octagon, for training or real fight you are risking an injury.
I agree that Conor is past his prime, and maybe he doesn't have the drive and hunger to fight like before, but it could be fun to watch him for few more fights.

Each to their own. Although, I find him quite down to earth outside of fighting. The thing about the fight business is you've to put on this persona. It's what sells fights, and gets you fans. However, if you listen to him outside of that, he's actually quite a humble, and nice sounding lad.

Is he now back on his fat regime, of eating junk food and everything else?
I never saw anyone having such big body transformations like him, pre and post his fights.

[bbc.reporter]

Also, @YuginKadoya. The we have sexy fighting kittens.

Amanda Ribas
from Brazil
vital statistics 32-24-34


vs.

Tracy Cortez
from Mexico
vital statistics 34-24-36

You surely got a keen eye for these, that is why I salute you for saying this to me, will be looking at them I mean will be looking their stats, and fighting style and will be giving my verdict on who's going to win between this two for sure, but pretty much I really like the Latina look of Cortez but Amanda Ribas can be more hot than her, but surely will be looking for what they can do inside the octagon more,

Agreed, it is also making me salute at them I mean salute their performance hehehe. Their fighting style will be much grappling on the ground. Tracy Cortez is a wrestler and Amanda Ribas is an expert in BJJ. You will like the fight and I wish it will be long and end in a decision hehehe.

Jake Paul challenged Paddy Pimblett to $1 million bout after the UFC star claimed the creator fixes his fights

Paul's challenge was one Pimblett was swift to accept, albeit with a slight caveat — the sparring session would have to take place at the UFC's Performance Institute in Las Vegas, shortly after his December 10 fight against Jared Gordon in the same city.

"Come to the PI next week and bring $1 million in a bag and I will spar with you," Pimblett told TMZ on Tuesday — the same day Paul issued his challenge.

"I'm in the PI in Vegas on Thursday. But if he wants to wait until after my fight — until the Monday … I'm game."

Source https://www.insider.com/jake-paul-challenged-paddy-pimblett-after-his-fixed-fights-claim-2022-11

Yes, Pimblett's answer was interesting, I will fight on Saturday, rest on Sunday, and beat you on Monday, it seems that Pimblett is very confident, since he thinks that just one day will be enough for him to recover from the fight. But in any case, this is one more performance, without which Paul cannot, he has everything built on this. It will be interesting for me to see it, he knows how to promote his fights.

I am skeptical. Paddy the baddy is very confident because he certainly knows that Jake Paul will never go to the UFC performance institute to fight him. However, it was very good for Paddy Pimblet to create hype for himself. This will only cause curiousity for boxing fans and it might make them watch Paddy in the UFC hehe.

[Welsh]

Is he now back on his fat regime, of eating junk food and everything else?
I never saw anyone having such big body transformations like him, pre and post his fights.

Without a doubt. He definitely eats more than the average fighter on the card. I kind of like that to be honest, but it probably isn't good for him to keep piling weight on, and then taking it back off to the very extremes.

It's just different to see, since most other fighters treat their bodies like temples, and there's ol' Paddy just enjoying life. A lot of people probably don't realise where he came from, and he's got a very similar attitude to the people that do come from the Liverpool area. He's a proper scouser.

[TopTort777]

For me, Pimblet is more interesting now, he surely got grappling moves like no other and he surely is more agile than he looks, be the most shocking thing about him is the way he loses weight when his fight is near, for me Paddy the Baddy Pimblet really knows how to it promote his upcoming fights, but we all know especially what Paddy the baddy is capable of,

Honestly, I am more interested in seeing what kind of meme or funny pictures of body transformation the internet is going to create this time. And really looking forward when Baddy will be fed up with extreme weight cutting and decides to hire a nutritionist. Cant when when he will grow up and understand that all that gaining and loosing weight will reflect badly on his health when he turns 40 or 50+. Dont know if he is really that crazy with junk food or this is his "thing". To me he looks like a prodigy, a talented kid, that fights world fast food mafia and wasting talent, or at least concentrating not on proper things.

[Inwestour]

For me, Pimblet is more interesting now, he surely got grappling moves like no other and he surely is more agile than he looks, be the most shocking thing about him is the way he loses weight when his fight is near, for me Paddy the Baddy Pimblet really knows how to it promote his upcoming fights, but we all know especially what Paddy the baddy is capable of,

Actually, I still don’t understand whether this fight will take place, or so far it’s just chatter in social networks? Pimblett accused Jake of dummy fights, but I don't think those fights were dummy, it's just that his opponents were too old for him, so I can't call these fights equal. With Paddy it can all be more interesting, he is younger, stronger and faster, and no one would say that the fight was fake. 

[Welsh]

Honestly, I am more interested in seeing what kind of meme or funny pictures of body transformation the internet is going to create this time. And really looking forward when Baddy will be fed up with extreme weight cutting and decides to hire a nutritionist. Cant when when he will grow up and understand that all that gaining and loosing weight will reflect badly on his health when he turns 40 or 50+. Dont know if he is really that crazy with junk food or this is his "thing". To me he looks like a prodigy, a talented kid, that fights world fast food mafia and wasting talent, or at least concentrating not on proper things.

He probably does have some outside advice, whether that's through a dedicated nutritionist or through his team. He isn't doing this by himself, and while it looks bad from the outside in terms of professionalism, they've obviously got it down to a T, since they've met the weight requirement every time.

It's somewhat the same with those that are walking about at 200+, but manage to weight cut to 155 etc. Alex Pereira recently looked absolutely huge against Izzy, and I imagine he's cutting a ton of weight, and probably a little bit dangerously too. Although, he's done that his whole career so knows what his limitations are.

[tokeweed]

^  Wait...  There's a fine if a Russian flag is displayed by the fighter?  I know Russian flags were disallowed in F1 but I didn't notice it was also the same in the UFC or even football.

No flags of any country will be carried by any fighter and that is the new policy by the UFC, if any fighters violate them, there wont be any fine but probably released from the UFC and that is how Dana White usually conducts business, his way or the highway  .

Yeah..  But I think some people are trying to pin the issue totally on Dana White or the UFC.  He has his hands tied and he prolly doesn't give a fk which flag you wave around during walk outs.  You could wave a flag around that says the UFC sucks and he wouldn't care.  It's the United States gov imposing those rules as Russia is currently 'the enemy'.  It's a weird time.  

Anyway, you guys got any picks and bets for this weekend's event?  There are some pretty good match ups in here...  Levy vs Valdez is gonna be good, Price vs Rowe, Hermansson vs Dolidze, Tuivasa vs Pavlovich and Nicolau vs Schnell.

It's always weird when politics takes over. The war sometimes extends to MMA matches.
Tuivasa is the only recognizable name on the list. Will go for Holland as long as he isn't fighting Khamzat.

Not just to MMA but they extend to all other sports and sporting events.  In F1 a Russian racer whose dad is an oligrach and somewhat connected to Putin was given the sack by his own team.  In EPL football, Roman Abramovich was forced to sell his football club Chelsea as he was getting hassled left and right.  It's crazy.

And yeah, I think there's only amfew guys itt who watches UFC events from start to finish.  To that I say, give it a chance, read about the fighters, the news, etc etc...

As for Holland vs Thompson, at first glance I got Holland but the more I look into it, Holland should win but I think the line should be closer imho.  Thompson's last couple of matches were against really in wrestling but Holland,  ot so much.  If Holland is gonna go into a striking battle then he's playing into Thompson's strengths.

Edit:  Live weigh ins here.

Holland vs Thompson:  Live Weign In
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiWZdC9DTDQ

[Welsh]

As for Holland vs Thompson, at first glance I got Holland but the more I look into it, Holland should win but I think the line should be closer imho.  Thompson's last couple of matches were against really in wrestling but Holland,  ot so much.  If Holland is gonna go into a striking battle then he's playing into Thompson's strengths.

I've got Holland, and I'm a massive Wonderboy fan. In fact, he's probably in my top five fighters. I just love his style. However, Holland is brilliant in the stand up, and I can't see Wonderboy reverting to wrestling him. I see him getting clipped, and probably knocked out.

I'll be looking at the odds, and I'll either bet for that outcome or just not bet at all. I don't want to see Wonderboy get beat, but I'll feel a little better if I've earned something from it .

[tokeweed]

^  That's the thing, if Holland took a striking heavy approach, I think Thompson will be a problem.  Holland will have a hard time closing the distance as Thompson is mostly light on his feet and could kick from different angles.  It could prolly end up something like point fighting for Thompson.  Dunno...  But yeah, the last couple of losses were from fighters who are really good at wrestling.  Then again it's also possible that Thompson is washed. 

Edit:  As for the odds, Holland at 1.57, Thompson at 2.36.  Oh...  Not much value for Thompson.  Lol.  I thought I saw he was at 2.75 or something.  :/  My bad. 

[TopTort777]

Those who is an expert in betting, dont you happen to know if it is possible to place a bet only on a fight outcome ? I mean is it possible to bet that the fights end method will be a KO, but without selecting who is going to be a winner? I think Tai Tuivasa vs Sergey Pavlovich fight is going to end with a KO, I just dont know who is going to be more accurate or lucky that day. These two has total of 26 KOs in 30 fight 

[Welsh]

Those who is an expert in betting, dont you happen to know if it is possible to place a bet only on a fight outcome ? I mean is it possible to bet that the fights end method will be a KO, but without selecting who is going to be a winner? I think Tai Tuivasa vs Sergey Pavlovich fight is going to end with a KO, I just dont know who is going to be more accurate or lucky that day. These two has total of 26 KOs in 30 fight  

Yeah, however it depends on your bookie. Only some offer this, mostly fiat one's I believe. You can also bet on method of victory as well as round which bumps up the modifier by quite a handsome amount. This also only tends to be certain events I believe.

The other alternative you've got is the fight not going the distance which is basically saying the same thing; there will be a finish you just don't know who.

^  That's the thing, if Holland took a striking heavy approach, I think Thompson will be a problem.  Holland will have a hard time closing the distance as Thompson is mostly light on his feet and could kick from different angles.  It could prolly end up something like point fighting for Thompson.  Dunno...  But yeah, the last couple of losses were from fighters who are really good at wrestling.  Then again it's also possible that Thompson is washed. 

Edit:  As for the odds, Holland at 1.57, Thompson at 2.36.  Oh...  Not much value for Thompson.  Lol.  I thought I saw he was at 2.75 or something.  :/  My bad. 

Wonderboy's distance management is one of the best in the game. Holland will need to be prepared to take a few to close the distance. I just think he gets it done. Don't get me wrong, I'll be absolutely over the moon if Wonderboy gets it done. I've been quite vocal in the past of Holland's performances, but he's won me back recently. Especially, with the Chimaev event. Yeah, he lost, but I saw some fight despite knowing he was going to get demolished which is what I wanted to see in the Brunson fight.

[tokeweed]

^  I don't blame you, and if I were to bet, I'd also go for Holland.  But he has to use some offensive wrestling here instead of trying to out strike the guy.  A lot of people thinking Thompson is old and washed, me included, but I go back and see the last couple of losses were vs really good wrestlers and the last couple of wins were vs a prime Luque and the hard hitting Geoff Neal.

Those who is an expert in betting, dont you happen to know if it is possible to place a bet only on a fight outcome ? I mean is it possible to bet that the fights end method will be a KO, but without selecting who is going to be a winner? I think Tai Tuivasa vs Sergey Pavlovich fight is going to end with a KO, I just dont know who is going to be more accurate or lucky that day. These two has total of 26 KOs in 30 fight 

Hah yeah..  Would be cool if we could have those kinds of props.  Other good ones could be betting for the over and the under on TD's and total strikes.

[cabron]

Those who is an expert in betting, dont you happen to know if it is possible to place a bet only on a fight outcome ? I mean is it possible to bet that the fights end method will be a KO, but without selecting who is going to be a winner? I think Tai Tuivasa vs Sergey Pavlovich fight is going to end with a KO, I just dont know who is going to be more accurate or lucky that day. These two has total of 26 KOs in 30 fight 

Yeah, however it depends on your bookie. Only some offer this, mostly fiat one's I believe. You can also bet on method of victory as well as round which bumps up the modifier by quite a handsome amount. This also only tends to be certain events I believe.

The other alternative you've got is the fight not going the distance which is basically saying the same thing; there will be a finish you just don't know who.

^  That's the thing, if Holland took a striking heavy approach, I think Thompson will be a problem.  Holland will have a hard time closing the distance as Thompson is mostly light on his feet and could kick from different angles.  It could prolly end up something like point fighting for Thompson.  Dunno...  But yeah, the last couple of losses were from fighters who are really good at wrestling.  Then again it's also possible that Thompson is washed. 

Edit:  As for the odds, Holland at 1.57, Thompson at 2.36.  Oh...  Not much value for Thompson.  Lol.  I thought I saw he was at 2.75 or something.  :/  My bad. 

Wonderboy's distance management is one of the best in the game. Holland will need to be prepared to take a few to close the distance. I just think he gets it done. Don't get me wrong, I'll be absolutely over the moon if Wonderboy gets it done. I've been quite vocal in the past of Holland's performances, but he's won me back recently. Especially, with the Chimaev event. Yeah, he lost, but I saw some fight despite knowing he was going to get demolished which is what I wanted to see in the Brunson fight.

When Holland accepted to fight Chimaev on short notice, he becomes one of Dana's fav. Whether he loses or wins, Dana will always like a fighter who will just go all the way. And he can take what Thompson can throw, he is indeed old and washed.  If Holland has to go closer to beating Thompson, Holland by submission could happen.

[Welsh]

That's a very good point tokeweed. I was going along the similar line of thought that Wonderboy has become a little washed, but looking at the opponents, and actually thinking about their styles you're probably right. Although, at times he was definitely getting out struck in some of those fights.

Holland has the chance to make a statement here, and put a legend on his record. I don't know what others might think, but I consider Stephen a legend at this point. Probably one of the most unique fighting styles in the UFC, mainly due to his karate background. They're quite rare, and even when there are fighters with that sort of background they tend to ditch the karate stance.

[eaLiTy]

~
Holland has the chance to make a statement here, and put a legend on his record. I don't know what others might think, but I consider Stephen a legend at this point. Probably one of the most unique fighting styles in the UFC, mainly due to his karate background. They're quite rare, and even when there are fighters with that sort of background they tend to ditch the karate stance.

There was a brother code established when Kevin Holland and Stephen Thompson sit down for an interview and you can watch them in the official youtube channel by the UFC and it is basically a classic Karate Vs Kung Fu match up. Kevin Holland is a second degree black belt and Stephen Thompson is a really establish striker who has a fifth degree black belt and with an undefeated record in his kick boxing days and he is a legend in that aspect.

I side more towards Stephen Thompson because of his striking pedigree and expecting a great fight between the two.

[Welsh]

I side more towards Stephen Thompson because of his striking pedigree and expecting a great fight between the two.

I prefer Stephen, but I don't expect him to win here. He's very good against other strikers, and he might be able to get the decision, but Holland is very dangerous on the feet. It'll be interesting to see if Holland can close the gap, since fighters a little more aggressive than him have failed against Wonderboy.

I think that'll be the decider personally. If Holland close the gap, I'd expect a knock out. Otherwise, Wonderboy could cruise to a victory via decision. I'll have a look at the odds tonight, and see if they persuade me either way.

[YuginKadoya]

Each to their own. Although, I find him quite down to earth outside of fighting. The thing about the fight business is you've to put on this persona. It's what sells fights, and gets you fans. However, if you listen to him outside of that, he's actually quite a humble, and nice sounding lad.

I don't have too much of a problem with him trying to sell his fights. I mean Conor was adored for it before the fans turned on him. A fight career is generally quite short, and therefore the fighters try to make the most of it, and smack talk is a way of fast tracking that.

Well, seeing his latest interviews I see a down-to-earth Paddy who only loves to eat, his interview with Molly McCann where he is just eating was tremendously stress-free, Well maybe there are some points that are sure I really judge him that quickly and never knowing the whole story

But any way if that Khamzat Chimaev having a fiasco, but still I like his performance a kid like this surely deserves something well in his recent fight I think I bet for him, I can't really remember but for sure I really like what I am seeing in doing his craft inside the Octagon,

Agreed, it is also making me salute at them I mean salute their performance hehehe. Their fighting style will be much grappling on the ground. Tracy Cortez is a wrestler and Amanda Ribas is an expert in BJJ. You will like the fight and I wish it will be long and end in a decision hehehe.

I do notice what you did there with SALUTE!  anyway, I think I will enjoy them I mean enjoy their performance on the ground because of their wrestling and grappling background, so it will surely be a great fight,

Honestly, I am more interested in seeing what kind of meme or funny pictures of body transformation the internet is going to create this time. And really looking forward when Baddy will be fed up with extreme weight cutting and decides to hire a nutritionist. Cant when when he will grow up and understand that all that gaining and loosing weight will reflect badly on his health when he turns 40 or 50+. Dont know if he is really that crazy with junk food or this is his "thing". To me he looks like a prodigy, a talented kid, that fights world fast food mafia and wasting talent, or at least concentrating not on proper things.

Right now he is still young, but I think he will understand it eventually if he turns 30 it is now hard to cut off weight at that age, for me, I think he really loves what he is doing  and I am not really against that, but as a fighter, you are right that he needs to take care of his health more, and sure I am looking forward in some meme's of him in the future, well anyway I think there is a bigger picture in why he is doing this, and pretty much he is known in doing a weight increase and weight loss so much but still if he is showing great performance inside the octagon I don't really have any problem with that,

Actually, I still don’t understand whether this fight will take place, or so far it’s just chatter in social networks? Pimblett accused Jake of dummy fights, but I don't think those fights were dummy, it's just that his opponents were too old for him, so I can't call these fights equal. With Paddy it can all be more interesting, he is younger, stronger and faster, and no one would say that the fight was fake. 

Let's just wait and see, if they got some beef for each other and I have watched their conversation I think it may happen plus it is not a bad offer for Paddy Pimblett a 1 million dollar offer in just a sparring match is a big amount for Paddy in what he is getting in the UFC, and he gets to kick Jake Paul inside the ring, well if he has great boxing that is, for me Paddy is a grappler, and I think this is a good opportunity for him as well to test his boxing skill and since this is just a sparring match I guess a great way to try his boxing,

[owengtam09]

Now I will be giving my picks for the UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Holland

Stephen Thompson +175
Kevin Holland -160

Pretty Kevin Holland was the favorite to win here but pretty Wonderboy Thompson is famous for his spinning kick, which could hit Holland by surprise, but for this match, Holland has an edge on the ground and this is Holland's specialty against a striker like Thompson, for me, I will go with Kevin Holland,  that has an advantage on the ground,

Rafael dos Anjos -550
Bryan Barberena +400

For this fight, we all know Rafael dos Anjos and what he can do, but his opponent is more of a striker, and dos Anjos is pretty much well verse on the ground, for this fight, I guess we can see Rafael dos Anjos doing his scramble, on the ground, but Barberena can surely put more damage to RDA, but I will be going to the well-rounded fighter

Jack Hermansson -190
Roman Dolidze +160

For this fight, Jack Hermansson has the advantage over the odds, and pretty much I think Hermansson has the power to take down Dolodze, while Dolidze will focus on the stand-up when the fight would go down on the ground Jack Hermansson could be a ground and pound or a submission win for Hermansson,

Tracy Cortez - 100
Amanda Ribas + 100

For this fight, Amanda Ribas has a reach advantage but in this fight, both fighters have a ground game however Tracy Cortez if she can win it in a standup she will surely get it on with it, While Amanda Ribas can get fired up with the takedown, for me I think Amanda Ribas will win this for me I really want a more well-rounded fighter,  

[YuginKadoya]

Here are my picks for the Fight Night Thompson vs. Holland

Stephen Thompson VS Kevin Holland

The stake odds for this fight are 2.50 for Thompson and 1.53 for Holland, I really thought that Kevin Holland will retire after that Khamzat Chimaev fight because of what Chimaev has done with the scramble on the ground, for this fight Kevin Holland will sure need that wrestling to win over Thompson, for me, I think that Holland had the advantage of going to the ground but Wonderboy has the striking capability to win this, but if this fight goes to the ground this is over for Thompson and Kevin Holland could win this,

Matheus Nicolau VS Matt Schnell

The stake odds for this fight are 1.26 for Nicolau and 3.90 for Schnell, for this fight, Nicolau is a technical fighter, he got a lot of speed and power than Schnell, and I think Matheus Nicolau is very picky with his shot and has decent defense and counter aswell, while for Matt Schnell that is a more aggressive, for me I will go with the most technical fighter and that will be Nicolau for sure,

Tai Tuivasa VS Sergei Pavlovich

The stake odds for this fight are 2.80  for Tuivasa and 1.45 for Pavlovich, In this fight, this could be just a 1 rounder fight because both fighters are knockout artists, I really think both are not really technical strikers, so this fight could definitely a brawl Tai Tuivasa can be calm and waiting for a right opportunity to strike but Sergei Pavlovich has that 9-inch reach advantage and he could be really aggressive from the start, both are not afraid to really trade punches and it will surely depend on both fighters durability, but I think I will go with a slight advantage of Sergei Pavlovich, winning this fight,

Tracy Cortez VS Amanda Ribas

I don't see any bookies for this fight at stake and on further research, Tracy Cortez was removed from the event due to an undisclosed medical issue, even though both fighters don't have any incidents with the weigh-in both landed 125 pounds on the scale, but Tracy Cortez had some medical issue and needs to be pulled out, I really wish she is OK though, I was really going with the beautiful Cortez because she might show something she never had shown before, and because Henry Cejudo is training her now, but because she was pulled out of the fight then there is no need to bet, but I am still posting this so readers could see it,

[posi]

Tai Tuivasa VS Sergei Pavlovich

The stake odds for this fight are 2.80  for Tuivasa and 1.45 for Pavlovich, In this fight, this could be just a 1 rounder fight because both fighters are knockout artists, I really think both are not really technical strikers, so this fight could definitely a brawl Tai Tuivasa can be calm and waiting for a right opportunity to strike but Sergei Pavlovich has that 9-inch reach advantage and he could be really aggressive from the start, both are not afraid to really trade punches and it will surely depend on both fighters durability, but I think I will go with a slight advantage of Sergei Pavlovich, winning this fight,

I've a bet on this fight, Sergei Pavlovich has a better overall career record compared to Tai Tuivasa. I think the odds are also on point. If we just think about the records and overall skill of both fighters I think we will see that Sergei Pavlovich does hold the advantage against Tai Tuivasa. But both of the fighters are very aggressive. And when two fighters don't hold back and start throwing branches against each other regardless of the fear of getting knocked out the fight can go towards any fighter. I will also say that Sergei Pavlovich is going to win this fight. At least that should be the outcome if he sticks to his plan.