🥊 The UFC Info and Prediction Thread

[pawel7777]

The UFC 300 fight card is out and what a card it is! Stacked and it's gonna be Mayham. There are 3 5-round bouts in there for the title/championship and the other 3 rounders are electric as well. Some people wanted Khabib and McGregor fights as main events but that was unrealistic to think about.

Finally! That was a long wait.
The main event might not be as exciting as some were expecting, as Jamahal Hill was not super popular even when he became a champ, and was a bit forgotten during his absence, but it's still a good fight, plus, there are other fights on the main card that are even more interesting, i.e. Gaethje Vs Holloway or Oliveirs Vs Tsarukyan.
I'd say that's good enough and think we could say that the UFC delivered on their promise.

The odds for Pereira Vs Hill are not in yet, but I expect Pereira to be the favourite (maybe not a massive one, but still).

[1715090590]

1715090590

[1715090590]

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[TopTort777]

You hit it perfectly when you have said that Jamahal Hill isnt super popular. Before he became a champ, I wasnt even following him much. I think I have watched only 1 fight before he had that fight for a belt. When he became a champ, I was like who this guy is? Why is he even fighting for a belt? Why is he a champ? When his fight against Pereira was announced, I was disappointed, because marvellous striker Pereira got a striker opponent. For me, it looks like another present for Pereira. His whole career in UFC looks like another kickboxing fight with additional rules. 

[Synchronice]

I dont think that Volks grandpa performance is going to play bad after loss to Topuria. He wasnt boasting or making fun of Topuria, he was having fun. But in general he is getting old. Used to be best p4p (he still is one of the best), but now fighters oustrike him. And he indeed looks like he is getting older or slower.

Loss against Makhachev and loss against Topuria in a row was a huge disaster for him, especially since he played old retired grandpa's role. His career probably ends here, if he continues fighting, I'm afraid he will follow the path of Tony Ferguson.

I couldn't post yesterday because I actually flew to the USA with my friends to see this fight. It was amazing, a phenomenal fight. Main event was Volkanovski vs Topuria but oh my god, Dvalishvili was such a beast, I got super impressed with what he did. He was playing with Henry Cejudo like cat plays with the mouse. I just don't believe to my eyes.
Both, Topuria and Dvalishvili are Georgians, this was amazing performance from Georgians. Dagestan has already conquered the UFC, I think the next country that will conquer it will be Georgia (a friend of mine told me that Topuria is from Georgia but I am still confused ).

To be honest, it makes me kinda curious how people from these small and poor countries dominate this sport.

[tokeweed]

Why I dont see discussiin about UFC 300 main event fight? I remember someone here asked for predictions, but I have told that I dont want to do that because I dont want to get disappointed, because we wont get what we want. Now its Pereira vs Hill. Honestly, I am disappointed. I have expected something that wall drop my jaw and I would be speachless. Now it is just a good fight. But honestly not a fight of a round/anniversary level.

Yup same...  I really thought the UFC was gonna get a bunch of money and deploy Jon Jones to fight Tom Aspinall.  That would've been a sweet champ vs interim champ match up for sure.  Buf can't really complain since the PPV card is stacked.  We got Weili vs Xiaonan, Gaethje vs Holloway for the BMF, Charles Oliveira vs Tsarukyan, Prochazka vs Rakic a match that should've happened a long time ago and Kattar vs Sterling??  Can't complain...  This is a great card.  And even the prelim is like a main card with awesome match ups.

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

Date:  Saturday, Feb 24
Main Card (ESPN/ESPN+):  9:00pm EST
Preliminary Card (ESPN/ESPN+):  7:00pm EST
Venue:  Arena CDMX, Mexico City
Live Streams:  



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   

[TopTort777]

Well. Since I am not interested in kitten fighting, BMF title isnt really worth much. There is only one huge fight (title fight), while others are simply great fight. Because we are spoiled by huge fight lately, UFC is just a bit better than a grear event. But for me it is far away from one of the greatest events among 201-299 previous. That is why I did not want to speculate on main even. Because I knew I would get disappointed. I also would expect something like Jones fighting, or JSP return, or someone esle makes a farewell fight, or a huge celebrity would take a fight, or Jake Paul debut

[notblox1]

With all that noise UFC created they finally revealed main event for UFC 300 and I am not that excited to watch Alex Pereira vs Jamahal Hill.
In my book Pereira is absolute favorite in this fight, but let's see how they both handle five round championship fight.
I am not going to make anything final an set, as we know that things can change quickly, and there is plenty of time until April.
Prochazka vs Rakic is one I am expecting to be the best fight in this event

[Rampagoe004]

You hit it perfectly when you have said that Jamahal Hill isnt super popular. Before he became a champ, I wasnt even following him much. I think I have watched only 1 fight before he had that fight for a belt. When he became a champ, I was like who this guy is? Why is he even fighting for a belt? Why is he a champ? When his fight against Pereira was announced, I was disappointed, because marvellous striker Pereira got a striker opponent. For me, it looks like another present for Pereira. His whole career in UFC looks like another kickboxing fight with additional rules. 

I just saw the Pereira vs Hill fight. But seriously, is that a UFC 300 match? Is this the main event? Does Dana want to ruin UFC Fight week? I mean, everyone sees UFC 300 as a milestone or opening gate to the UFC's 300th series. This is like UFC at the end of the year which should present very exciting fights. I'm not disparaging either fighter but we all know there are other fights that are more worthy of being fought at UFC 300, right? Unless Dana just makes UFC 300 like UFC fight week in general.

[shield132]

I don't watch UFC and this is the first time I posted in this thread but what happened on February 17, 2024, was phenomenal. Merab Dvalishvili and Ilia Topuria, both of them Georgians, from my country, won the fight. Topuria became the first Georgian to become the champion of UFC and I believe that Merab Dvalishvili will become the second Georgian who will also become the UFC Champion.
This is simply amazing, both fighters made Georgians very proud. Not only did they win the fight and make the country more popular but many people made a bet on them and got good money in return.

[pawel7777]

(...)Before he became a champ, I wasnt even following him much. I think I have watched only 1 fight before he had that fight for a belt. When he became a champ, I was like who this guy is? Why is he even fighting for a belt? Why is he a champ?

Haha, I had identical thoughts, granted I was following UFC much less back then than I am today.

When his fight against Pereira was announced, I was disappointed, because marvellous striker Pereira got a striker opponent. For me, it looks like another present for Pereira. His whole career in UFC looks like another kickboxing fight with additional rules. 

In this particular case, Hill was an undisputed champ and vacated the title due to injury, so the UFC kind of owes him a title fight, so he's definitely not been cherry-picked.
And to be fair to Pereira, he faced some opponents who knew a thing or two about the ground game, e.g. Strickland, who has a solid wrestling background but chose to fight in stand-up and got KOed, or Blachowicz, who has a black belt in BJJ but was not very successful in takedown attempts.
And he's not the only champ who managed to get to the top only with striking (O'Malley, Adesanya etc).

[inthelongrun]

I don't watch UFC and this is the first time I posted in this thread but what happened on February 17, 2024, was phenomenal. Merab Dvalishvili and Ilia Topuria, both of them Georgians, from my country, won the fight. Topuria became the first Georgian to become the champion of UFC and I believe that Merab Dvalishvili will become the second Georgian who will also become the UFC Champion.
This is simply amazing, both fighters made Georgians very proud. Not only did they win the fight and make the country more popular but many people made a bet on them and got good money in return.

Congratulations! You got yourself a UFC champion, especially for a country with only over 3 million population. Those were amazing victories. I also won my bet on Ilia so I had my little celebration that day. Maybe it is time for you to follow combat sports.

I just think Ilia came in at the right time. There's no way Volk was back in himself after suffering that head kick a few months ago. Although Volk can only blame himself for accepting the huge Middle East offer, which was a 10-day notice and it was not even enough to properly cut down in weight. Volk will never be mentally the same.

Merab Dvalishvili deserved a title shot but the UFC is a profit first oriented company. He was beating former world champions and even if Cejudo was not injured he would still dominate that fight. I wonder when he gets a title shot, Pink Poodle seems to be popular and can generate big money for the UFC for as long as he holds a belt.

[pawel7777]

I don't watch UFC and this is the first time I posted in this thread but what happened on February 17, 2024, was phenomenal. Merab Dvalishvili and Ilia Topuria, both of them Georgians, from my country, won the fight. Topuria became the first Georgian to become the champion of UFC and I believe that Merab Dvalishvili will become the second Georgian who will also become the UFC Champion.
This is simply amazing, both fighters made Georgians very proud. Not only did they win the fight and make the country more popular but many people made a bet on them and got good money in return.

Good for you. I think Merab Dvalishvili will have a big chance of grabbing the bantamweight belt as well if given a chance. He's currently a number one contender so very likely will get the next title shot against the winner of O'Malley Vs Vera.

Just curious, do you guys perceive Topuria as your own? He's presented in the media more as a Spaniard and likes to talk about bringing the UFC to Spain etc. Does he even have any strong ties to Georgia, speak the language etc?

[TopTort777]

(...)Before he became a champ, I wasnt even following him much. I think I have watched only 1 fight before he had that fight for a belt. When he became a champ, I was like who this guy is? Why is he even fighting for a belt? Why is he a champ?

Haha, I had identical thoughts, granted I was following UFC much less back then than I am today.

When his fight against Pereira was announced, I was disappointed, because marvellous striker Pereira got a striker opponent. For me, it looks like another present for Pereira. His whole career in UFC looks like another kickboxing fight with additional rules. 

In this particular case, Hill was an undisputed champ and vacated the title due to injury, so the UFC kind of owes him a title fight, so he's definitely not been cherry-picked.
And to be fair to Pereira, he faced some opponents who knew a thing or two about the ground game, e.g. Strickland, who has a solid wrestling background but chose to fight in stand-up and got KOed, or Blachowicz, who has a black belt in BJJ but was not very successful in takedown attempts.
And he's not the only champ who managed to get to the top only with striking (O'Malley, Adesanya etc).

Hill wasnt cherry picked, but he is most suitable and easy (imo) opponent for Pereira in current top3 of light heavyweight division. The fight with Prochazka was close. If it wasnt return after pause/injury, and if Jiri would had a fight (like a warm up) before, I think their fight with Pereira would be different. At least it wasnt that obvious that Pereira looked better every second in octagon. Ankalaev - toughest match for Pereira. Why UFC did not give him Ankalaev? I think UFC dont like him That fight against Blachowicz was a robbery for Maga.

[tokeweed]

^  Lol...  Not sure about that.  I think Hill could beat Prochazka and be a tad more dominant doing it.  The thing with Hill is he's fundamentally sound...  No bs kind of fighting, he just keeps it simple.  But his time away from fighting could be a factor tho.  That's I'm leaning Pereira.

With all that noise UFC created they finally revealed main event for UFC 300 and I am not that excited to watch Alex Pereira vs Jamahal Hill.
In my book Pereira is absolute favorite in this fight, but let's see how they both handle five round championship fight.
I am not going to make anything final an set, as we know that things can change quickly, and there is plenty of time until April.
Prochazka vs Rakic is one I am expecting to be the best fight in this event

Yup same here...  But it is what it is.  I just like to see these guys throw leather and make small bets for fun.  But besides the main event the rest of the roster is awesome tho.  Better than most of what we had at 2023.

If the UFC had pulled off Jones vs Aspinall as the main event, I'd say it's close to perfect.

Anyway, here are some replays of some of the fighters at this weekend's event.  Enjoy...

UFC Free Fight:  Moreno vs Royval
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLp0BUUNP7M

UFC Free Fight:  Rodriguez vs Ortega
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nop6J8uY6Ls

[Synchronice]

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!

[Lykslyks]

Now getting into my picks for the event today for the UFC 298

Alexander Volkanovski VS Ilia Topuria
Alexander Volkanovski [1.84]
Robert Whittaker VS Paulo Costa
Robert Whittaker [1.43]
Merab Dvalishvili VS Henry Cejudo
Merab Dvalishvili [1.36]

Well, You got 2 out of the 3 right. Volkanovski got knocked out in round 2 by Topuria and I think his "getting old/granddad" press conference is going to come back to bite him, now that he's lost. It was entertaining while it lasted but the jokes on him.

We betting on Mackenzie tonight?

Didn't bet but watched the fight. She's got the chin to withstand the first round and take the fight to the distance, which was impressive. The commentators were biased towards her but yeah, it didn't look close and she had to win by submission, if she wanted to win.

Thanks! I was shocked that Alexander Volkanovski lost to Ilia Topuria but that was one great fight Alexander did great in the 1st rounds while in the 2nd round, Topuria was taking the right timing and in the 2nd round he was more consistent and he also knew the reach of Topuria for him to see an opening to Volkanovski's striking that pocket boxing really help him against Volk, I was wrong with the Main Event but any fighter can win, Volkanovski can also win that fight with those high kicks as Topuria was nearly knockout in the past.

now Robert Whittaker and Merab Dvalishvili did a great job of making great performances in the Octagon and I really like what they have done with their opponents Costa was like a different person, and I can say he also has improved but Robert Whittaker has just way ahead of him, while Merab Dvalishvili is certainly amazing Merab is like a mini Khabib with his performance against Henry Cejudo.

Well. Since I am not interested in kitten fighting, BMF title isnt really worth much. There is only one huge fight (title fight), while others are simply great fight. Because we are spoiled by huge fight lately, UFC is just a bit better than a grear event. But for me it is far away from one of the greatest events among 201-299 previous. That is why I did not want to speculate on main even. Because I knew I would get disappointed. I also would expect something like Jones fighting, or JSP return, or someone esle makes a farewell fight, or a huge celebrity would take a fight, or Jake Paul debut

Not interested aswell, but if it was a Main-Event card maybe an Alexa Grasso VS Valentina Shevchenko or Erin Blanchfield maybe I will watch that fight, but the other kitten fight many of you keep talking about here I am not really watching or just skipping the fight, BMF title is just the worst addition and I think the UFC should not create it in the 1st place, Title belt is just good enough but for the sake of entertainment they have already made something like this and it is on Jorge Masvidal's level of liking.

[yazher]

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 watched it too and he is incredible since he can just simply throw multiple power punches but not feel tired at all since he has a unique conditioning that makes his lungs capable of surviving until the last round without any sign of fatigue. The only thing they can do is knock him out or win via submission as soon as possible and they also need to be faster than him when they want to fight him because if they only rely on their power without speed, then that would only make them tired and the fight would be easily handled by Merab like his any other fight in the past.

[Swordsoffreedom]

Well, You got 2 out of the 3 right. Volkanovski got knocked out in round 2 by Topuria and I think his "getting old/granddad" press conference is going to come back to bite him, now that he's lost. It was entertaining while it lasted but the jokes on him.

We betting on Mackenzie tonight?

Didn't bet but watched the fight. She's got the chin to withstand the first round and take the fight to the distance, which was impressive. The commentators were biased towards her but yeah, it didn't look close and she had to win by submission, if she wanted to win.

Thanks! I was shocked that Alexander Volkanovski lost to Ilia Topuria but that was one great fight Alexander did great in the 1st rounds while in the 2nd round, Topuria was taking the right timing and in the 2nd round he was more consistent and he also knew the reach of Topuria for him to see an opening to Volkanovski's striking that pocket boxing really help him against Volk, I was wrong with the Main Event but any fighter can win, Volkanovski can also win that fight with those high kicks as Topuria was nearly knockout in the past.

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.

Robert Whittaker VS Paulo Costa

Robert Whittaker [1.43] - For this one, Robert Whittaker is a calculating fighter so for sure he can win this with the stand-up or he can even go into the ground but the ground game is unlikely as Paulo Costa has a decent takedown defense so for this it may stay as a standing match-up but as Robert Whittaker could surely dodge Paulo Costa's attacks this is fairly a good match for him.

The Paulo Costa loss was understandable.



Right now I am looking at the next UFC event. UFC 299.
Both the main event and the co-main event look lit.
Should attract a lot of people in my opinion.



Date:   9th March, 2024
Venue:   Kaseya Center

Main Card         

Code: Bantamweight Sean O'Malley (1.47) vs. Marlon Vera (2.70) Lightweight Dustin Poirier (2.15) vs. Benoît Saint Denis (1.71) Welterweight Kevin Holland (1.75) vs. Michael Page (2.09) Welterweight Gilbert Burns (1.86) vs. Jack Della Maddalena (1.95) Bantamweight Petr Yan    (1.68) vs. Song Yadong (2.20)

Preliminary Card         

Code: Heavyweight Curtis Blaydes   (1.91) vs. Jailton Almeida (1.90) Women's FW Katlyn Cerminara (2.44) vs. Maycee Barber (1.56) Lightweight Mateusz Gamrot (1.36) vs. Rafael dos Anjos (3.20) Bantamweight Pedro Munhoz  (2.80) vs. Kyler Phillips (1.44)

Source(odds): https://stake.com/sports/mma/ufc/ufc-299-o-malley-vs-vera-2


By the way, I think the ticket prices are getting a little insane.
Anybody else have any take on that?

[cabron]

^

Sean's request to get a rematch against Vera granted. He will win this time. This UFC 299 is also an action-packed event. And a debut of Michael Page too.

With all that noise UFC created they finally revealed main event for UFC 300 and I am not that excited to watch Alex Pereira vs Jamahal Hill.
In my book Pereira is absolute favorite in this fight, but let's see how they both handle five round championship fight.
I am not going to make anything final an set, as we know that things can change quickly, and there is plenty of time until April.
Prochazka vs Rakic is one I am expecting to be the best fight in this event

Pereira vs Adesanya 3 is more appealing than this one, several youtubers were already expecting this fight even when Adesanya was trying to rest indefinitely. I think MMA Guru also suggested this weeks ago. Maybe Izzy will be called to fight on short notice in the end.

If it's not final yet I think Tuporia will also be glad to be in the co-main event. UFC 300 anniversary should be one of the most memorable.

[TopTort777]

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!

Calm down, this guy was born in 500km to Dagestan Probably breathed in their special air But his 10 win streak is impressive. To bad almost most of them are by decision (somewhere in the world Belal Muhammad has turned around right now). If he would have more early finishes, he would be in pound-for-pound ranking. Right now, sorry, has to wait Now lets see how O'Malley and Vera perform. Anyone of them is Merabs next opponent. But I cross my fingers it to be Merab vs Sean, because I want to see how Sean gonna punish him for that jacket Merab stole lol

[Synchronice]

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!

Calm down, this guy was born in 500km to Dagestan Probably breathed in their special air But his 10 win streak is impressive. To bad almost most of them are by decision (somewhere in the world Belal Muhammad has turned around right now). If he would have more early finishes, he would be in pound-for-pound ranking. Right now, sorry, has to wait Now lets see how O'Malley and Vera perform. Anyone of them is Merabs next opponent. But I cross my fingers it to be Merab vs Sean, because I want to see how Sean gonna punish him for that jacket Merab stole lol

There is probably some EPO in Caucasian air. By the way, I got a little obsessed with this fighter and decided to check more information about him. His story is really very impressive, he was a poor guy, living in village and left his country to move in the USA where he was working as a construction worker and I am confident he wouldn't be legally in the USA and you know, illegal migrants are treated terrible, especially on physical labor. It's really very impressive that a guy who was working constructions, was able to go to the GYM after such a hard physical work. This guy deserves a bright future and his story must be well known to the public. I think it will be nice for Netflix to record a documentary about him when he will become the champion.