🥊 The UFC Info and Prediction Thread

[trendcoin]

There aren't many excellent wrestling-based fighters in the Light Heavyweight division, and I know Ankalaev's wrestling skills aren't elite level, but even Ankalaev gave Alex a tough time in their first fight... A more elite wrestler could potentially show us "some matches" where he could stop Alex more easily... This makes Alex, in my view, someone who hasn't been fully tested, and that's why I don't consider him a complete fighter. He's undoubtedly an amazing striker, but he's not a complete fighter in my opinion. So, I tried to explain that... :)

I'm 100% sure that Alex's mistake in the first fight was that he didn't care about the fight and instead was travelling to Australia and other countries. He wasn't really training and it was visible in that fight. Ankalaev didn't gave him a hard time with his wrestling skills because he couldn't take down Pereira and to be honest, that wasn't the fight of Champions, that was a terrible fight, Pereira didn't even box, which is strange. In the second fight, Pereira showed him his real strength.
I agree with you, Pereira hasn't been fully tested and I think that in his division, that won't happen. He is an amazing striker and that's it. I would say that Topuria is a complete fighter in UFC, more complete than Islam Makhachev and despite the fact that we haven't seen much wrestling from him, I'm sure into this because the guy started his career from wrestling and got into boxing when he was 17 years old and mastered it, so his wrestling must be on a high level as well. He was a wrestler and then became a boxer.

My friend, these are your personal opinions, and I respect them, but I base my own thoughts on facts derived from experience. In other words, I can't deny gravity just because an apple remains hanging on a tree.

For example, throughout his career, Islam faced good strikers like Dustin and Jack and elite wrestlers like Arman, and Islam defeated them all.

On the other hand, we can't say Alex has faced an elite-level wrestler. We can't say Ilia has faced an elite-level wrestler.

So, the facts clearly show us everything. In this situation, I can't say Alex or Ilia are more complete fighters than Islam because they haven't been tested.

We had the opportunity to test Ilia against Arman, but we couldn't do it because Ilia separated from his wife. We don't know, maybe his wife saved him from a disaster by separating from him... :)

[Pumared]

There aren't many excellent wrestling-based fighters in the Light Heavyweight division, and I know Ankalaev's wrestling skills aren't elite level, but even Ankalaev gave Alex a tough time in their first fight... A more elite wrestler could potentially show us "some matches" where he could stop Alex more easily... This makes Alex, in my view, someone who hasn't been fully tested, and that's why I don't consider him a complete fighter. He's undoubtedly an amazing striker, but he's not a complete fighter in my opinion. So, I tried to explain that...

I'm 100% sure that Alex's mistake in the first fight was that he didn't care about the fight and instead was travelling to Australia and other countries. He wasn't really training and it was visible in that fight. Ankalaev didn't gave him a hard time with his wrestling skills because he couldn't take down Pereira and to be honest, that wasn't the fight of Champions, that was a terrible fight, Pereira didn't even box, which is strange. In the second fight, Pereira showed him his real strength.
I agree with you, Pereira hasn't been fully tested and I think that in his division, that won't happen. He is an amazing striker and that's it. I would say that Topuria is a complete fighter in UFC, more complete than Islam Makhachev and despite the fact that we haven't seen much wrestling from him, I'm sure into this because the guy started his career from wrestling and got into boxing when he was 17 years old and mastered it, so his wrestling must be on a high level as well. He was a wrestler and then became a boxer.

There's also that; he completely lost focus, and unfortunately, we have no way of knowing what really affected him, other than to believe what he says and speculate about anything else. But unfortunately or fortunately, traveling the world is part of the job; he needs to sell, as we've been discussing here before. The problem is knowing how to balance it and train hard wherever he travels.

Regarding the video, GREATEST UFC MOMENTS To Ring In The New Year, did anyone record or have it recorded? There's no option to rewatch it on YouTube.

[pawel7777]

Guys, what is the tradition in your country, to celebrate Christmas on 24-25 December or New Year 31/12-01/01 is the main event? I want to congratulate everyone with incoming New 2026 Year, wish good health to your and your family, and may your UFC bets never lose Wish that next year we would have even cooler events and less bs fights (eye pokes and injuries that make opponents accidental champions:D)

Christmas are the GOAT, New Year is meh.
Thanks! Happy New Year to you too and to all participants of this thread (probably the best one in the entire Gambling haha)

Here's the UFC's greatest moments vid for 2025 is gonna be live in 24 hours...  (...)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX7GDYV1drU

Is the video working OK for you guys? I'm getting "This live stream recording is not available." and not sure is it a country-related thing.

[TopTort777]

Tom Aspinall has recently announced, that he will be having 2 eye surgeries. On one hand that means that is was a serious injury that he got that night. On the other hand wait for 2 months? If something is really that serious, actions must be take immediately. Something not good and suspicious is  with Tom and his injury. Mega plan to wait for 2 surgeries, recovery, training and all of a sudden Gane retires, then Tom can claim that he had no chance and time to avenge Seriously, heavyweight division is such a bs. First Bones held belt for years, now Tom. UFC should quickly organize an intermediary belt fight.

[Synchronice]

But unfortunately or fortunately, traveling the world is part of the job; he needs to sell, as we've been discussing here before. The problem is knowing how to balance it and train hard wherever he travels.

Regarding the video, GREATEST UFC MOMENTS To Ring In The New Year, did anyone record or have it recorded? There's no option to rewatch it on YouTube.

You can't travel and train at the same time, especially when you travel very long distances because being in airport queue is very tiring, traveling itself is very tiring and changing a time zone is especially tiring because you mess up with your circadian rhythm. When you do that in final moments, when you have a fight in the next couple of weeks and you have to do an extreme weight cut, that's definitely gonna mess up with your performance.

Tom Aspinall has recently announced, that he will be having 2 eye surgeries. On one hand that means that is was a serious injury that he got that night. On the other hand wait for 2 months? If something is really that serious, actions must be take immediately. Something not good and suspicious is  with Tom and his injury. Mega plan to wait for 2 surgeries, recovery, training and all of a sudden Gane retires, then Tom can claim that he had no chance and time to avenge Seriously, heavyweight division is such a bs. First Bones held belt for years, now Tom. UFC should quickly organize an intermediary belt fight.

I don't understand whether he really has problem with his eye or not. Doctors in the first days that said his eyes weren't damaged, now he has to undergo 2 surgeries. I don't know what's going on but Dana White will not be happy with that and that's not good for Tom's career.

[tokeweed]

Tom Aspinall has recently announced, that he will be having 2 eye surgeries. On one hand that means that is was a serious injury that he got that night. On the other hand wait for 2 months? If something is really that serious, actions must be take immediately. Something not good and suspicious is  with Tom and his injury. Mega plan to wait for 2 surgeries, recovery, training and all of a sudden Gane retires, then Tom can claim that he had no chance and time to avenge Seriously, heavyweight division is such a bs. First Bones held belt for years, now Tom. UFC should quickly organize an intermediary belt fight.

After getting a feel for Aspinall in that one round and knowing that he could win that fight if it continued, I doubt Gane would be retiring anytime soon.  If anything, I think he can't wait to get back in there and take another shot against Aspinall.

And if Aspinall is gonna take a longer time off then what could happen is an interim championship match up between Gane and Pavlovich or something.

[TopTort777]

Arman Tsarukyan had another grappling or wrestling match. This time he fought against Shara Bullet on Hype FC. Two UFC fighters fight outside UFC. Something unbeliaveble. Fight has ended with a draw. However arrogant Tsarukyan refused to shake hands after the fight. Arman is falling down more and more in my eyes. Fight was so lame. Shara was lying on ropes all the time, grabbed them. Tsarukyan was barely active. As if those two went on 1 minute notice only to get a payment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWffBHw8-Bo here is that bs.

[Pumared]

Arman Tsarukyan had another grappling or wrestling match. This time he fought against Shara Bullet on Hype FC. Two UFC fighters fight outside UFC. Something unbeliaveble. Fight has ended with a draw. However arrogant Tsarukyan refused to shake hands after the fight. Arman is falling down more and more in my eyes. Fight was so lame. Shara was lying on ropes all the time, grabbed them. Tsarukyan was barely active. As if those two went on 1 minute notice only to get a payment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWffBHw8-Bo here is that bs.

I don't recall ever seeing this kind of situation before, much less that the UFC allowed this type of practice. Has something changed, or have I always been uninformed about this?

Regarding Tsarukyan, he has always been and probably always will be arrogant, unfortunately. He has talent, but this personality adds nothing to his career.

[TopTort777]

Btw they had made funny bets. If Arman wins, Shara must give him his rolex. If Shara wins, Arman promised to buy him apartment in Grozny city. Result of the fight was draw. Even though Arman was more active and Shara was defending mostly. But as it was grappling fight, to win you need to gain points (for example throw give 2 points). Stakes were high, but I think fight was rigged. As their fight was super fight/entertainment fight during event.

[pawel7777]

Tom Aspinall has recently announced, that he will be having 2 eye surgeries. On one hand that means that is was a serious injury that he got that night. On the other hand wait for 2 months? If something is really that serious, actions must be take immediately. Something not good and suspicious is  with Tom and his injury. Mega plan to wait for 2 surgeries, recovery, training and all of a sudden Gane retires, then Tom can claim that he had no chance and time to avenge Seriously, heavyweight division is such a bs. First Bones held belt for years, now Tom. UFC should quickly organize an intermediary belt fight.

Give the man a break.
You could as well ask: if the injury is made up, why wait 2 months to come up with a surgery story? They could've done it much sooner, not now when the dust is settled and everyone has their opinion anyway by now.

And no, not all surgeries are to be undertaken immediately. Sometimes you need to give a less invasive methods a chance or just wait and see how the body will heal on its own.
I believe it was reported some time ago that his eyes were not healing as expected and that he developed some sort of eye syndrom etc.

I also thought he already had a surgery on one eye, but I could b wrong. I vaguely recall seeing some press highlight, but I don't trust my memory too much.

[rdbase]

Guys, what is the tradition in your country, to celebrate Christmas on 24-25 December or New Year 31/12-01/01 is the main event? I want to congratulate everyone with incoming New 2026 Year, wish good health to your and your family, and may your UFC bets never lose. Wish that next year we would have even cooler events and less bs fights (eye pokes and injuries that make opponents accidental champions:D)

Thanks for the wishes for those in the thread going into this new year.
Just wondering when the next event was. Thought it was this weekend but I guess not since no one is mentioning about any upcoming fights so recent. Just about the best moments of last year.

Also saw something about two UFC fighters doing a bout for another organization.
Wish I could remember who those two fighters were but they were let go by Dana late of last year.

[OgNasty]

Conor McGregor making some interesting social media posts that seem to point to him reaching a deal with Dana White to fight in the White House event later this year. I know I would love to see that happen…

[tokeweed]

^  Meh...  That guy just wants attention.  He'll never get into the UFC's biggest events anymore as he's more of a liability than an asset these days.

His last chance to prove himself was against Chandler but McGregor kept dodging him until the match up fizzled out.  He should just focus on something else.

Btw they had made funny bets. If Arman wins, Shara must give him his rolex. If Shara wins, Arman promised to buy him apartment in Grozny city. Result of the fight was draw. Even though Arman was more active and Shara was defending mostly. But as it was grappling fight, to win you need to gain points (for example throw give 2 points). Stakes were high, but I think fight was rigged. As their fight was super fight/entertainment fight during event.

That's funny..  But if you guys should know, the bet was more high stakes for Shara than Tsarukyan as all of you already know, Tsarukyan is a son of a billionaire.  Lol.

[Hanadawa]

I saw a nice comparison recently: "UFC fighter is like an singer on stage. If he sings well but not interested to audience, nobody is forced to provide him job and new concerts". I believe that Fakhretdinov has completed his contract obligatories, but hasnt done anything in media to be demanded, so he was released. UFC need those who can sell fight, and by selling does not only mean winning by spectacular KO or submission. Even those who lose manage to make good sales.

I think a good example is Johnny Walker. He lost embarrassingly a few fights ago, he wasn't doing well, and other fighters were fired in the same situation. However, the guy adds value to the brand, he brings in the audience. He manages to attract attention with his craziness and his fighting style, whether funny or serious, he draws people in. I think that's the only reason he's still under contract.

In the UFC, you not only have to have excellent fighting skills, but you also have to be able to market yourself. The UFC will try to market promising prospects, but if you lack any appeal, your presence will disappear. Fakhretdinov had an incredible record, but I think that one loss cost him his reputation because he lacked the ability to market himself. Unless Fakhretdinov had a 25-0 record, it would have been very easy for the UFC to market him, even if he wasn't a good talker. This is the case with Rakhmonov. I think people were looking forward to his fights because his 16-0 record would have drawn attention when matched against an elite-level fighter.
Another example is Michael Chandler. We know how poor Chandler's record was in the UFC. But his excellent speaking skills and brutal fighting style kept the UFC contracting him despite his numerous losses and his age. In the UFC, in addition to fighting ability, one must also have the ability to sell one's character to the MMA market.

[TopTort777]

Conor McGregor making some interesting social media posts that seem to point to him reaching a deal with Dana White to fight in the White House event later this year. I know I would love to see that happen…

Not surprised by another announcement of a return. Conor has been announcing his next fight during last 2 years if not longer. The longer the pause from last fight, the less likely that fight would ever happen. Right now Conor can only beat regular guys and old men in pub. I think even an amateur fighter (if not get scared by Conor charisma) will beat him. As a bare knuckle fight promotion owner, Conor is doing everything to get attention. Are people even interested in his fights?

[Balmain]

Ilia Topuria's statement is quite clear. The sensationalizing of sports-related issues, especially those involving a child, is unacceptable. Instead of making hasty judgments while the legal process continues, it's best to wait for the truth to emerge. Until the truth is revealed, a culture of mob justice benefits no one. This top figure is going through difficult times due to family matters, and I believe he will return unscathed once he overcomes this.

[OgNasty]

Conor McGregor making some interesting social media posts that seem to point to him reaching a deal with Dana White to fight in the White House event later this year. I know I would love to see that happen…

Not surprised by another announcement of a return. Conor has been announcing his next fight during last 2 years if not longer. The longer the pause from last fight, the less likely that fight would ever happen. Right now Conor can only beat regular guys and old men in pub. I think even an amateur fighter (if not get scared by Conor charisma) will beat him. As a bare knuckle fight promotion owner, Conor is doing everything to get attention. Are people even interested in his fights?

I'm interested in his fights just because of how legendary his run was.  The possibility of seeing another McGregor knockout is enough for me to tune in if the fight does happen.  It is clear he is nowhere near where he once was, but the entire White House event is a gimmick, so why not bring old Conor back for one last moment in the limelight?

[bbc.reporter]

@OgNasty. Agreed! I very much wish that if Conor will return to the UFC and if the fight is in the White House, the opponent will be the Russian Khabib! I am certain that this Russian will be the only opponent that the world will be watching for Conor.

Also, this fight should be for the bad motherfuckers belt heheheheheeh!

[TopTort777]

Conor McGregor making some interesting social media posts that seem to point to him reaching a deal with Dana White to fight in the White House event later this year. I know I would love to see that happen…

Not surprised by another announcement of a return. Conor has been announcing his next fight during last 2 years if not longer. The longer the pause from last fight, the less likely that fight would ever happen. Right now Conor can only beat regular guys and old men in pub. I think even an amateur fighter (if not get scared by Conor charisma) will beat him. As a bare knuckle fight promotion owner, Conor is doing everything to get attention. Are people even interested in his fights?

I'm interested in his fights just because of how legendary his run was.  The possibility of seeing another McGregor knockout is enough for me to tune in if the fight does happen.  It is clear he is nowhere near where he once was, but the entire White House event is a gimmick, so why not bring old Conor back for one last moment in the limelight?

Then more time must pass until Conor turns into a really legendary persona or icon. It is no doubt that he has achieved a lot and brought a lot to the sport and UFC. However he is not a UFC hall of fame persona yet. His legacy isnt same size as Mike Tyson for example. When Tyson at his age fought Jake Paul, everyone knew how this fight is going to end, but people went to see this fight or bought PPV because of Mikes legendary persona. For me Conor is not yet a person who is so legendary to make me awaiting his return or fight.

[trendcoin]

His last chance to prove himself was against Chandler but McGregor kept dodging him until the match up fizzled out.  He should just focus on something else.

I will never forget Chandler's call to Conor. I can't remember a better challenge in UFC history.

https://www.tiktok.com/@ufc/video/7438141821571681566

@OgNasty. Agreed! I very much wish that if Conor will return to the UFC and if the fight is in the White House, the opponent will be the Russian Khabib! I am certain that this Russian will be the only opponent that the world will be watching for Conor.

Also, this fight should be for the bad motherfuckers belt heheheheheeh!

What weight class will they fight in? Khabib is currently 200 kg. When they were in the same weight class, Khabib destroyed him. Now, with the weight advantage, he'll probably make him his lunch. I think the best opponent for Conor next would be Jake Paul. Conor could make good money from such a fight and find the right environment he's looking for.


Have you seen the news about Alex Pereira and Tracy Cortez? Cortez tried his luck again with another UFC fighter after Ortega and Costa... :)