🥊 The UFC Info and Prediction Thread

[tokeweed]

^  It just shows that Lopes isn't really that ready to fight the top guys in the UFC.  And I haven't checked yet but I don't think Ige isn't really that high in the list in his weight class.  Prolly in the top 10 but outside the top 5..?  And he is one weight class below Lopes.  

And if it was Ortega in there, sure it might be a close fight...  But then again Ortega is the underdog.  And as for Prochazka, it looks like he isn't as good as what everyone thought him to be.

[TopTort777]

Or Pereira is way to good Of course it was hard for Prochazka to fight Pereira and his dark spirit. 2 vs 1 isnt fair

Btw, UFC decided not to re-sign Andrei Arlovki contract. Finally a former champ can have a rest at his 45 and enjoy life with his 3 kids. Been in business since 1999. Set some records and it is time to say goodbye;)

[pawel7777]

And as for Prochazka, it looks like he isn't as good as what everyone thought him to be.

Or could it be that Pereira is really that good?

It's possible that Jiri failed to prepare himself mentally. It's not easy after losing to the same guy by TKO not that long ago. Jan Blachowicz said he knew Prochazka would lose after he saw him smiling at Pereira before the fight, something he would never do in his previous fights. A little detail like that can be very telling.

As for Ige Vs Lopes, they're both ranked 13th and 14th respectively, I don't think the ranking has yet been updated after the event, so they'll probably switch places. Career-wise, accepting that fight was a great move for both of them, Dana White sang some praises for them both in the post-fight conference and said he'll do anything for them. So likely both of them will get a chance to face higher-ranked opponents in their next fights.

[TopTort777]

Of course Dana would do anything for them, as they made lots of noise in media. As well as that Pereiras knockout saved the event. Months ago UFC 303 was planned to be one of the coolest events of 2024. Return of Conor ! What we got in main card? Pereira KOed Jiri. Fili and Swanson showed a nice fight in prelims. Pretty much it. Huge event turned into average. However, like I've told, after UFC 299 and UFC 300 it will be hard for UFC to impress us. Hope that UFC 304 wont disappoint.

[tokeweed]

And as for Prochazka, it looks like he isn't as good as what everyone thought him to be.

Or could it be that Pereira is really that good?

It's possible that Jiri failed to prepare himself mentally. It's not easy after losing to the same guy by TKO not that long ago. Jan Blachowicz said he knew Prochazka would lose after he saw him smiling at Pereira before the fight, something he would never do in his previous fights. A little detail like that can be very telling.

As for Ige Vs Lopes, they're both ranked 13th and 14th respectively, I don't think the ranking has yet been updated after the event, so they'll probably switch places. Career-wise, accepting that fight was a great move for both of them, Dana White sang some praises for them both in the post-fight conference and said he'll do anything for them. So likely both of them will get a chance to face higher-ranked opponents in their next fights.

That could be it too.  Would love to see Pereira go up against a guy who's good at wrestling and a tough Russian dude who happens to have the name Ankalaev. Lolol.  I think he's the only guy next in line before he moves up to heavyweight to take on all comers or maybe go straight to Jon Jones even.  That would be something especially if Jones wins vs Aspinall and makes it looks easy.  

As for Diego Lopez's next fight, I think after what he was shown against Ige he needs to prove himself vs somebody lower in the rankings...  Like a rematch vs Elvoev.  Pretty sure Evloev would like to run it back after what happened in the first match. 

[Pumared]

Now, there is no doubt that Poatan is the best of all time. He is already better than fighters considered "GOATS" who fought against random people, who had not even won the belt.

This is history before us

[cabron]

And as for Prochazka, it looks like he isn't as good as what everyone thought him to be.

Or could it be that Pereira is really that good?

It's possible that Jiri failed to prepare himself mentally. It's not easy after losing to the same guy by TKO not that long ago. Jan Blachowicz said he knew Prochazka would lose after he saw him smiling at Pereira before the fight, something he would never do in his previous fights. A little detail like that can be very telling.

As for Ige Vs Lopes, they're both ranked 13th and 14th respectively, I don't think the ranking has yet been updated after the event, so they'll probably switch places. Career-wise, accepting that fight was a great move for both of them, Dana White sang some praises for them both in the post-fight conference and said he'll do anything for them. So likely both of them will get a chance to face higher-ranked opponents in their next fights.

That could be it too.  Would love to see Pereira go up against a guy who's good at wrestling and a tough Russian dude who happens to have the name Ankalaev. Lolol.  I think he's the only guy next in line before he moves up to heavyweight to take on all comers or maybe go straight to Jon Jones even.  That would be something especially if Jones wins vs Aspinall and makes it looks easy.  

As for Diego Lopez's next fight, I think after what he was shown against Ige he needs to prove himself vs somebody lower in the rankings...  Like a rematch vs Elvoev.  Pretty sure Evloev would like to run it back after what happened in the first match. 

Ankalev already said he would fight Pereira and would not wrestle him when they fight.
Jiri maybe is not really that good at taking down opponents but when he tried it recently, what Pereira did was just level down with him and throw jabs to his face. Pereira could also do this to all the wrestlers he'll meet in the octagon. Preventing them from trying. If the level of wrestling is like Islam kind, Pereira will be beaten badly.

If Pereira already wants to make big money, he would be skipping Ankalev and just fight in the HW either Aspinall or Jones if possible. This would be his best route and then retire. 

[TopTort777]

And as for Prochazka, it looks like he isn't as good as what everyone thought him to be.

Or could it be that Pereira is really that good?

It's possible that Jiri failed to prepare himself mentally. It's not easy after losing to the same guy by TKO not that long ago. Jan Blachowicz said he knew Prochazka would lose after he saw him smiling at Pereira before the fight, something he would never do in his previous fights. A little detail like that can be very telling.

As for Ige Vs Lopes, they're both ranked 13th and 14th respectively, I don't think the ranking has yet been updated after the event, so they'll probably switch places. Career-wise, accepting that fight was a great move for both of them, Dana White sang some praises for them both in the post-fight conference and said he'll do anything for them. So likely both of them will get a chance to face higher-ranked opponents in their next fights.

That could be it too.  Would love to see Pereira go up against a guy who's good at wrestling and a tough Russian dude who happens to have the name Ankalaev. Lolol.  I think he's the only guy next in line before he moves up to heavyweight to take on all comers or maybe go straight to Jon Jones even.  That would be something especially if Jones wins vs Aspinall and makes it looks easy.  

As for Diego Lopez's next fight, I think after what he was shown against Ige he needs to prove himself vs somebody lower in the rankings...  Like a rematch vs Elvoev.  Pretty sure Evloev would like to run it back after what happened in the first match. 

Ankalev already said he would fight Pereira and would not wrestle him when they fight.
Jiri maybe is not really that good at taking down opponents but when he tried it recently, what Pereira did was just level down with him and throw jabs to his face. Pereira could also do this to all the wrestlers he'll meet in the octagon. Preventing them from trying. If the level of wrestling is like Islam kind, Pereira will be beaten badly.

If Pereira already wants to make big money, he would be skipping Ankalev and just fight in the HW either Aspinall or Jones if possible. This would be his best route and then retire. 

And if he really wants big money, he should finish Chandler and call out for McGregor Imho Ankalaev would not get Pereira. UFC dont want to see Ankalaev as a champ. Because he is to kind, to shy, to boring, not a media personality. Instead, they would make Pereira try to become a first guy who won belts in 3 weight divisions. However, that is not going to happen, as Bones let Pereira use his kickboxing voodoo. It will be a first round submission.

[tokeweed]

And as for Prochazka, it looks like he isn't as good as what everyone thought him to be.

Or could it be that Pereira is really that good?

It's possible that Jiri failed to prepare himself mentally. It's not easy after losing to the same guy by TKO not that long ago. Jan Blachowicz said he knew Prochazka would lose after he saw him smiling at Pereira before the fight, something he would never do in his previous fights. A little detail like that can be very telling.

As for Ige Vs Lopes, they're both ranked 13th and 14th respectively, I don't think the ranking has yet been updated after the event, so they'll probably switch places. Career-wise, accepting that fight was a great move for both of them, Dana White sang some praises for them both in the post-fight conference and said he'll do anything for them. So likely both of them will get a chance to face higher-ranked opponents in their next fights.

That could be it too.  Would love to see Pereira go up against a guy who's good at wrestling and a tough Russian dude who happens to have the name Ankalaev. Lolol.  I think he's the only guy next in line before he moves up to heavyweight to take on all comers or maybe go straight to Jon Jones even.  That would be something especially if Jones wins vs Aspinall and makes it looks easy.  

As for Diego Lopez's next fight, I think after what he was shown against Ige he needs to prove himself vs somebody lower in the rankings...  Like a rematch vs Elvoev.  Pretty sure Evloev would like to run it back after what happened in the first match.  

Ankalev already said he would fight Pereira and would not wrestle him when they fight.
Jiri maybe is not really that good at taking down opponents but when he tried it recently, what Pereira did was just level down with him and throw jabs to his face. Pereira could also do this to all the wrestlers he'll meet in the octagon. Preventing them from trying. If the level of wrestling is like Islam kind, Pereira will be beaten badly.

If Pereira already wants to make big money, he would be skipping Ankalev and just fight in the HW either Aspinall or Jones if possible. This would be his best route and then retire.  

Oh...  Wrong strat for Ankalaev.  Lolol.  And taking down Pereira doesn't have to be a double leg or a single leg.  Ankalev likes doing body lock take downs.  So there's no dipping the head there.

Anyway, did you guys watch the on sale press conference for 305?  I was like not really that excited for DDP vs Adesanya.  But after watching the intense and may mention hilarious face off, oh my...  I'm all for the match up!  LFG!     They were like two little kids who are about to fight in the playground.

UFC 305:  On Sale Press Conference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KyXy10ZmmY

I feel like Adesanya's time away from the cage might have done him some good.

[cabron]

They brought out that real African issue but didn't make emotions burst. There's not much tension up there and DDP didn't even go dark to hit the nerve like he did to Sean.  I was waiting for what issue he would throw at Izzy nothing so far even the hentai. But the staredown is serious.

And if he really wants big money, he should finish Chandler and call out for McGregor Imho Ankalaev would not get Pereira. UFC dont want to see Ankalaev as a champ. Because he is to kind, to shy, to boring, not a media personality. Instead, they would make Pereira try to become a first guy who won belts in 3 weight divisions. However, that is not going to happen, as Bones let Pereira use his kickboxing voodoo. It will be a first round submission.

Pereira hasn't fought someone like Jones so that going to be a big puzzle for him when they fight.  Tom is not getting the belt easily, Dana is just not letting Jones go despite not being around anymore. The belt wasn't stripped either.

[Pumared]

I don't understand why Diego Lopes' fight didn't have the bonus of the night, as well as Poatan and Jiri's fight. Maybe the UFC spent a lot of money on these two fights and limited themselves to the agreed amount haha

[pawel7777]

(...)UFC dont want to see Ankalaev as a champ. Because he is to kind, to shy, to boring, not a media personality. Instead, they would make Pereira try to become a first guy who won belts in 3 weight divisions. However, that is not going to happen, as Bones let Pereira use his kickboxing voodoo. It will be a first round submission.

What I got from the post-event interviews with Alex/Dana, is that Ankalaev is next in line.
It might not generate a huge revenue but it will be interesting.
Sure, Ankalaev winning would be the worst scenario for the UFC, but let's not forget this is also a sport, not just entertainment, so the "boring" guys also have to get their chances.

And I have a feeling we're more likely to see Pereira Vs Adesanya 3 (in the 205) before we see Pereira fighting Jones/Aspinall.

Anyway, did you guys watch the on sale press conference for 305?  I was like not really that excited for DDP vs Adesanya.  But after watching the intense and may mention hilarious face off, oh my...  I'm all for the match up!  LFG!     They were like two little kids who are about to fight in the playground.

OK, you sparked my interest. I'll go and watch it now.

[TopTort777]

Pereira hasn't fought someone like Jones so that going to be a big puzzle for him when they fight.  Tom is not getting the belt easily, Dana is just not letting Jones go despite not being around anymore. The belt wasn't stripped either.

While Bones had fought guys like Pereira before. Like I've said, give Pereira someone who isnt about to retire and knows how to play wrestling, and he wont be able to get away from submission. Even old Blachowicz managed to get Pereira to the ground.

And I have a feeling we're more likely to see Pereira Vs Adesanya 3 (in the 205) before we see Pereira fighting Jones/Aspinall.

Huh? Chama. Even though UFC might want to make this fight, I feel like Izzy dont has a huge desire to gain. He once fought in LH, and showed nothing. It will be more easier and profitable for him to Take belt in middleweight, avenge Strickland and beat Whittaker for the third time

[tokeweed]

^  If ever Adesanya wins vs DDP and becomes champ at 185 again, I don't think the UFC would like to match him up vs Pereira again.  Not in 185 at least.  The weight cut is too draining for Pereria.

Anyway, did you guys watch the on sale press conference for 305?  I was like not really that excited for DDP vs Adesanya.  But after watching the intense and may mention hilarious face off, oh my...  I'm all for the match up!  LFG!    They were like two little kids who are about to fight in the playground.

OK, you sparked my interest. I'll go and watch it now.

Lol did you watch it yet?    So hilarious.  

Anyway, no event this weekend.  Sucks..  But here's some vids to watch for the next PPV event.

UFC Free Fight:  Edwards vs Usman 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IESed0ndjn8

UFC Free Fight:  Muhammad vs Brady
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1j7-FaJDws

I think Muhammad is gonna make it boring and win via UD.

[pawel7777]

Lol did you watch it yet?    So hilarious.  

Yeah, the interview part was surprisingly calm and everyone was so nice and composed... and then the staredown happened 


Did you guys hear the news about Khabib fleeing Russia and getting his accounts frozen + business raided over the alleged $3 millon that he owed to Russian tax man?
Credit to notblox1 for bringing this up in the ALTT forum
Some links:

https://www.sportspolitika.news/p/ufc-khabib-nurmagomedov-politics-putin-mma-russi
https://www.marca.com/en/ufc/2024/07/01/6682d584e2704e395e8b458c.html
https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/conor-mcgregor-alleges-khabib-nurmagomedov-is-in-dubai-following-russian-government-s-seizure-of-the-eagle-s-bank-accounts/ar-BB1pedqb

Damn, if he doesn't have a proper amount stashed in some safe place, who knows, he might be forced to come back from retirement and fight at least one more time.

[cabron]

^ You think Khabib vs Conor 2 will be possible if that happens for his comeback fight?  It will still be a big promotion for UFC even if the outcome is obvious.

And I have a feeling we're more likely to see Pereira Vs Adesanya 3 (in the 205) before we see Pereira fighting Jones/Aspinall.

Huh? Chama. Even though UFC might want to make this fight, I feel like Izzy dont has a huge desire to gain. He once fought in LH, and showed nothing. It will be more easier and profitable for him to Take belt in middleweight, avenge Strickland and beat Whittaker for the third time

I don't see that fight coming either. Not sure if Pereira will be going back to the MW, maybe depending on the offer. Pereira fighting on the HW is already a big money waiting for him and he isn't going to risk dehydrating himself since it looks like his body is meant for LH. There is more for Pereira to pursue HW, even if he starts with Volkov, it's worth it if done in Saudi.

And I remember Izzy said he doesn't need the trilogy as the sage is over. He is also fighting DDP, for all we know he might not win against DDP.

[TopTort777]

Did you guys hear the news about Khabib fleeing Russia and getting his accounts frozen + business raided over the alleged $3 millon that he owed to Russian tax man?
Credit to notblox1 for bringing this up in the ALTT forum
Some links:

https://www.sportspolitika.news/p/ufc-khabib-nurmagomedov-politics-putin-mma-russi
https://www.marca.com/en/ufc/2024/07/01/6682d584e2704e395e8b458c.html
https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/conor-mcgregor-alleges-khabib-nurmagomedov-is-in-dubai-following-russian-government-s-seizure-of-the-eagle-s-bank-accounts/ar-BB1pedqb

Damn, if he doesn't have a proper amount stashed in some safe place, who knows, he might be forced to come back from retirement and fight at least one more time.

I have heard news, but I dont know how to react on that. I think some background games are on.

Some ideas.

1. Khabibs father always tried to educate him. It was studying before sport all the time. Imagine how he has achieved all that, when he was forced to study a lot, and education was on first place. Imagine what would be, if he only focused on fighting and training. Doubt that he was really that not smart to pay taxes.

2. Khabib is a huge media personality. He has a huge influence. Few weeks ago, there was a huge terrorist attack in Dagestan. Found out, that one of the attackers trained or visited Khabibs gym. There is an idea, that media wants to pull facts to Khabib and hype on that.

3. Due to that terrorist attack, authorities are freezing all money of those who could have even a tiny connection. As in spring, there was another terrorist attack in Moscow. Authorities are trying to close all the possible ways of finance sources.

4. Maybe Khabib only sponsored business, and is he really responsible to what CEO and bookkeepers did? Wasnt he just a co-own of all companies, whos funds were arrested? For media, what sounds better? Millions of Khabibs money are frozen or <insert any name> funds are frozen?

5. Knowing how Russian tax authorities work, it isnt surprise that his funds are frozen. They just freeze everything and everyone funds, and later its your duty to prove that you are not guilty. And what happens to you when you dont have money, nobody cares. (That is actually why some people leave Russia. As Authorities, police or "special forces" can just point on you and say "guilty", and then try to prove that you are clean, white and not guilty).

6. Someone is trying to drag Khabib into politics.

P.S. Khabib all troubles started when he did not give a clear comment on who he is with or what he supports, after that terrorist attack in Dagestan on synagogue.

[tokeweed]

Lol did you watch it yet?    So hilarious.  

Yeah, the interview part was surprisingly calm and everyone was so nice and composed... and then the staredown happened 

Oh, yeah...  That's the part that made the face off hilarious.  At the press conference yeah, it seemed like Adesanya was more mature now without the cringe comments and the anime references.  And I was like 'oh cool I like this version of Adesanya now'.  But then yup...  Exactly!  The face off happened.  Lolol.

But it kinda added to the excitement tho.  Just seeing those guys on the stage and staring each other down changed my mind about the match up.

[pawel7777]

(...)
P.S. Khabib all troubles started when he did not give a clear comment on who he is with or what he supports, after that terrorist attack in Dagestan on synagogue.

If that's true, that would be the key here.
Khabib and his circle (including Islam) are too big in terms of personality/influence to just fall victim to some routine tax office procedures. The move to freeze his accounts and raid his gym must've been pre-approved by the people in a higher government, possibly Putin himself.

^ You think Khabib vs Conor 2 will be possible if that happens for his comeback fight?

I don't think Khabib wants to fight, BUT, if we have a scenario when he failed to secure enough money in some foreign bank (which is possible as I think there might be some restrictions to Russians) and he falls out of Putin's favour and gets all his funds frozen - what option would he have left? He's too proud to live of donations or from charging some gym fees. He'd probably consider fighting one, last time in some big money fight to cash in couple of $ millions and secure his family financially.

As for McGregor, he's also probably after big money and fame, and fighting a rematch against Khabib is the best way to get some of the old hype back. Let's face it, he's probably going to lose to whoever he'll be fighting next, and losing to a legendary, undefeated Khabib wouldn't be that much of a shame.

(...) Just seeing those guys on the stage and staring each other down changed my mind about the matchup.

They can say whatever they want about there not being any grudge, but it's clear that they truly hate each other.