🥊 The UFC Info and Prediction Thread

[eaLiTy]

~
You mean welterweight...  But yeah.  Another way of looking at it is Ian Garry could have really good TD defense.

As for Prates, I think Makhachev will make easy work of him.  Prates has not faced an elite wrestler in his last few matches.  But we'll see.

Ian Garry showed his improved skills rolling with Demian Maia, and he was able to negate Makhachev's submission attempts. Honestly, he fought too defensively and gave him way too much respect the whole time. Even Dana White and Makhachev made comments about it during the post-fight press conference.

Islam Makhachev mentioned he’s not even looking at retirement until he hits a 20-fight win streak. If he keeps going, guys like Carlos Prates, Michael Morales, and Shavkat Rakhmonov are definitely next in line. Both Carlos Prates and Michael Morales have one-punch knockout power, and they are not going to challenge Makhachev in the wrestling or grappling departments. However, that knockout power will make things interesting.

But the fight I honestly want to see is Makhachev vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov. They’re both such high-level grapplers that it'd be a total dream match for me—and easily the absolute hardest test of either fighter's career.

[pawel7777]

Not the most convincing victory for Islam, but he won in by a non-controversial decision and beat Anderson Silva's record, so it's a success. In the last 10 fights, Islam's fights went to the judges only 3 times. This is something that happened to all previous long-reigning champions.
I think the biggest disappointment comes from the fact that Ian is the most insufferable fighter out there and a lot of people just wanted to see him humiliated, but that didn't happen. He fought a decent fight and suffered no real damage. Ian landed more total strikes and more significant strikes, but his takedown defence wasn't enough for Islam. He got taken down 7 times. Islam wasn't able to do much on the ground but the control won him the fight.

I guess we're going to see Islam Vs Prates next and I think we're going to see a finish in that fight. Carlos is more risk-taking than Ian, so it will either give him a KO or he will pay the price.

[Noorooo]

Not the most convincing victory for Islam, but he won in by a non-controversial decision and beat Anderson Silva's record, so it's a success. In the last 10 fights, Islam's fights went to the judges only 3 times. This is something that happened to all previous long-reigning champions.
I think the biggest disappointment comes from the fact that Ian is the most insufferable fighter out there and a lot of people just wanted to see him humiliated, but that didn't happen. He fought a decent fight and suffered no real damage. Ian landed more total strikes and more significant strikes, but his takedown defence wasn't enough for Islam. He got taken down 7 times. Islam wasn't able to do much on the ground but the control won him the fight.

I guess we're going to see Islam Vs Prates next and I think we're going to see a finish in that fight. Carlos is more risk-taking than Ian, so it will either give him a KO or he will pay the price.

I think Ian skin is made of some special thing. Islam also landed some good punches and that leg kick almost knocked out Ian. Ians face didn’t have a single scratch that was so surprising. And on the other hand Islam didn’t even take that many punches and his face was totally destroyed without taking any real damage. Also Islam wrestling in this match was amazing. I think the biggest threat to Islam in this welterweight division is Shavkat which I think can stop Islam. This Prates and other welterweight fighters cannot stop Islam.

[TopTort777]

But the fight I honestly want to see is Makhachev vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov. They’re both such high-level grapplers that it'd be a total dream match for me—and easily the absolute hardest test of either fighter's career.

Everything is going in such way that Makhachev and Rakhmonov will never meet. I would also wish to see that fight, but by the time Rakhmonov recovers completely and gets in his peak form, Makhachev could already retire. Shavkat only in 2026 got knee surgery. From his instagram he is only now started to punch pads and put some test on his knee. Even though he is 7-0 in UFC and 19-0 in total, he wont get a title fight immediately when he return.

[tokeweed]

You mean welterweight...  But yeah.  Another way of looking at it is Ian Garry could have really good TD defense.

As for Prates, I think Makhachev will make easy work of him.  Prates has not faced an elite wrestler in his last few matches.  But we'll see.

Yes, that's what I meant to say.
I don't think Prates will be that easy, he'll surely come out swinging and not be as cautious as Garry was.

Stoltzfus and Abdul-Malik was one of the more exciting fights for me on that card.

Garry's TD defense was key to his 'success' in not getting mauled by Makhachev.  I don't think Prates has the same skill set as Garry in the TD defense department.  But we'll see... 

~
You mean welterweight...  But yeah.  Another way of looking at it is Ian Garry could have really good TD defense.

As for Prates, I think Makhachev will make easy work of him.  Prates has not faced an elite wrestler in his last few matches.  But we'll see.

Ian Garry showed his improved skills rolling with Demian Maia, and he was able to negate Makhachev's submission attempts. Honestly, he fought too defensively and gave him way too much respect the whole time. Even Dana White and Makhachev made comments about it during the post-fight press conference.

Islam Makhachev mentioned he’s not even looking at retirement until he hits a 20-fight win streak. If he keeps going, guys like Carlos Prates, Michael Morales, and Shavkat Rakhmonov are definitely next in line. Both Carlos Prates and Michael Morales have one-punch knockout power, and they are not going to challenge Makhachev in the wrestling or grappling departments. However, that knockout power will make things interesting.

But the fight I honestly want to see is Makhachev vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov. They’re both such high-level grapplers that it'd be a total dream match for me—and easily the absolute hardest test of either fighter's career.

Rakhmonov is out of the UFC after injuring his knee again.  Sad as I think he has the best chance to beat Makhachev with the three fighters you mentioned.  Michael Morales is second.

Anyway, do you guys think Rodrigues is a live underdog against Hernandez?

[Synchronice]

Islam can’t secure an easy finish in this weight class, but we mustn’t forget that Ian’s fight record is also full of judge decisions. In other words, both fighters brought this fight to this point. Wrestling alone cannot explain how boring this fight was.

Wrestling, that mostly demonstrates only hugging, is really boring. I was watching the MMA Guru's podcast (not because I'm a fan of his, I really dislike the guy but TikTok showed me his video on For You). He said very well one thing about Ilia Topuria. He is the guy that doesn't matter what, always delivers the show when it comes to fights. He even put his unbeatable record on the scale just to give us an amazing fight against Gaethje and this fight really was amazing, especially the second round, it was a pure masterpiece for me.

Honestly, the only fighter that has a very boring style but still entertains me is Merab Dvalishvili. This guy is just funny. In general, I wouldn't call Islam a boring fighter but I really don't like when fight is mostly hugging and that decides the winner.

[TopTort777]

Hugging, controlling and gaining points. That you wanted to say? The the list of boring wrestlers-fighters I can add Evloev and Ankalaev. These guys indeed control their opponents and their strategy are countering than being number 1 in the octagon. Despite Khabib, Islam mixes striking and wrestling. If Khabib was taking opponents down and ground&pound them on the ground, then Islam is not afraid to play as striker against striker.

If you really want to watch a boring fight, then go watch some first mma fights. Royce Gracie vs Sakuraba, 90min fight Most of the fight was horizontal I dont remember the fight, but it was one big dude vs "I think Royce Gracie". Gracie did not have enough strength to choke big guy from back and it took him like 15-20min of trying Imagine you see two guys down, one is trying to choke other, they barely move and nothing happens, as both guys are tired

[trendcoin]

Islam Makhachev mentioned he’s not even looking at retirement until he hits a 20-fight win streak. If he keeps going, guys like Carlos Prates, Michael Morales, and Shavkat Rakhmonov are definitely next in line.

Shavkat has resumed training, but he’s not currently ranked, and it’s unlikely he’ll re-enter the rankings. In that case, having him fight Islam would be unfair to Morales and Prates, but he’d undoubtedly be the most dangerous opponent for Islam...

Islam can’t secure an easy finish in this weight class, but we mustn’t forget that Ian’s fight record is also full of judge decisions. In other words, both fighters brought this fight to this point. Wrestling alone cannot explain how boring this fight was.

Wrestling, that mostly demonstrates only hugging, is really boring. I was watching the MMA Guru's podcast (not because I'm a fan of his, I really dislike the guy but TikTok showed me his video on For You). He said very well one thing about Ilia Topuria. He is the guy that doesn't matter what, always delivers the show when it comes to fights. He even put his unbeatable record on the scale just to give us an amazing fight against Gaethje and this fight really was amazing, especially the second round, it was a pure masterpiece for me.

Maybe Islam’s fights against JDM and Garry weren’t that exciting, but I think it was an important detail that you brought up what happened to Alex and Ilia when they moved up a weight class. They both looked like fish out of water.

Islam currently holds the longest winning streak in UFC history and wants to extend it even further. It would be much easier for him to do this in the lightweight division, but he wants to do it in the welterweight division. I think we’re witnessing something unprecedented in UFC history. Islam is building this record in a tougher weight class rather than in his comfort zone. Ilia and Alex seemed to have that potential, but they couldn’t pull it off.

Honestly, the only fighter that has a very boring style but still entertains me is Merab Dvalishvili. This guy is just funny. In general, I wouldn't call Islam a boring fighter but I really don't like when fight is mostly hugging and that decides the winner.

In response to claims that he’s boring, he took on a busy fight schedule and lost his belt as a result. I think he’s unquestionably the best in the bantamweight division, but unfortunately, he lost his belt due to a strategic mistake...

[Pumared]

Islam can’t secure an easy finish in this weight class, but we mustn’t forget that Ian’s fight record is also full of judge decisions. In other words, both fighters brought this fight to this point. Wrestling alone cannot explain how boring this fight was.

Honestly, the only fighter that has a very boring style but still entertains me is Merab Dvalishvili. This guy is just funny. In general, I wouldn't call Islam a boring fighter but I really don't like when fight is mostly hugging and that decides the winner.

I think the same way. That's why I bet on Garry and ended up losing. I thought he would finish off that grappling game, which is boring to watch. But Islam earned it, he's using the rules, there's nothing to be done.

I was watching a comparison of title defenses between Islam and Anderson Silva. They are different moments, but just the fact that Islam beat Volka twice is worth about four of Anderson's title defenses. Because there was no one similar to Volka in Anderson's defenses. What do you think about this comparison, since Islam broke the record for most title defenses? Which was previously held by Anderson Silva.

[TopTort777]

Who do you think would be Makhachev next opponent? Prates or Morales? I wish it would be Morales. Because I think he would give more challenge to Islam than Prates. Prates has never faced anyone who is good at something besides striking (and if he did, then its level was average). Morales trained judo and wrestling and he is from sports family (mother is judoka and father was striking coach). Morales is also huge. I have read that he cut +15kg on average before the fight. Add that he is knocking people. He will start hunting Makhachev head from very first second of the fight. His only disadvantage is that he is 27. Lack of title fight experience and pressure.

[tokeweed]

Did you guys watch DWCS week 2?  Wow...  As said, it was a night of violence.  It was a banger!  Here are the results...

Kaik Brito def. Namo Fazil via knockout (punch) - Round 3, 0:12
Trent Miller def. Douglas Rodrigues via submission (Von Flue choke) – Round 2, 1:04
Cristian Perez def. Logan Paxton via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 1:06
Alik Lorenz def. Mahamed Aly via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:23
Roman Puga def. Taner Trembley via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

DWCS: Post-Fight Press Conference | Season 10 - Week 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZsA4Uemy_g

The first fight ended with a decision but still a banger.  Both guys were sent to the hospital and both of them got in the UFC.  Lol.

And three underdogs won too.

[trendcoin]

Who do you think would be Makhachev next opponent? Prates or Morales? I wish it would be Morales. Because I think he would give more challenge to Islam than Prates. Prates has never faced anyone who is good at something besides striking (and if he did, then its level was average). Morales trained judo and wrestling and he is from sports family (mother is judoka and father was striking coach). Morales is also huge. I have read that he cut +15kg on average before the fight. Add that he is knocking people. He will start hunting Makhachev head from very first second of the fight. His only disadvantage is that he is 27. Lack of title fight experience and pressure.

Prates and Garry fought. However, none of the others have ever faced each other. We call all of these fighters title contenders, but there have been no previous matches between them.

Ali Abdulaziz has seen this situation. :)

In the coming months, Islam will suffer an excuse of an injury. Morales and Prates will step into the interim title fight. While Islam waits, his rivals will tear each other apart.

This was my personal diabolical plan, and we don’t know if it will come true, but one thing is certain today: all the title contenders want to face Islam without first proving themselves against each other. That’s not exactly natural. :)

I can say quite clearly that Islam has turned the dynamics of this weight class upside down...

[Pumared]

Who do you think would be Makhachev next opponent? Prates or Morales? I wish it would be Morales. Because I think he would give more challenge to Islam than Prates. Prates has never faced anyone who is good at something besides striking (and if he did, then its level was average). Morales trained judo and wrestling and he is from sports family (mother is judoka and father was striking coach). Morales is also huge. I have read that he cut +15kg on average before the fight. Add that he is knocking people. He will start hunting Makhachev head from very first second of the fight. His only disadvantage is that he is 27. Lack of title fight experience and pressure.

I think the same way. Prates said in a news report that the UFC had guaranteed the next title fight against Islam. I think it would be exactly like it was with Garry; Prates will try to knock him out, but Islam is already used to it, he's been through it against Volka. However, Prates fight will sell much more than Morales, unfortunately. The tendency is that the UFC will choose Prates, as he himself said, and Islam will win once again.

[BluebloodCXVI]

I knew these two fights would end in interesting finishes.

Dana was definitely impressed with the outcome of the DWCS, it was pure chaos and that’s why he even signed Taner Trembley, the guy who lost lol; for Dana to sign up someone who lost means that that person did something truly special.

Six contracts in one contender series episode is a strong night; the performances clearly met Dana’s standards.

The Fazil VS Brito and Paxton VS Perez lightweight scrap in particular seem to have a finish potential written all over them.

[TopTort777]

Who do you think would be Makhachev next opponent? Prates or Morales? I wish it would be Morales. Because I think he would give more challenge to Islam than Prates. Prates has never faced anyone who is good at something besides striking (and if he did, then its level was average). Morales trained judo and wrestling and he is from sports family (mother is judoka and father was striking coach). Morales is also huge. I have read that he cut +15kg on average before the fight. Add that he is knocking people. He will start hunting Makhachev head from very first second of the fight. His only disadvantage is that he is 27. Lack of title fight experience and pressure.

I think the same way. Prates said in a news report that the UFC had guaranteed the next title fight against Islam. I think it would be exactly like it was with Garry; Prates will try to knock him out, but Islam is already used to it, he's been through it against Volka. However, Prates fight will sell much more than Morales, unfortunately. The tendency is that the UFC will choose Prates, as he himself said, and Islam will win once again.

I think Prates muay thai stance will allow Makhachev to go double leg takedown and either submit or control Prates till he wins. Counter takedowns with knee, keep distance, that wont work against Makhachev, he has proven that and he aint an amateur to be caught so easy. Prates look smaller than Morales, it will make fight easier for Makhachev.

I havent heard that UFC guaranteed Prates a title fight. Btw UFC love to speculate with that. Morales is on pause since November 2025. Prates fought may 2026. Islam will be ready to fight in half a year probably. I think UFC will first make Prates vs Morales to happen, and only then winner will get a title fight.

[tokeweed]

So who you guys leaning on for this weekend's event? 

As for the thread's degen parlay, we have...

Rodrigues
Spivak
RDR
Jones
Carli
Wint
Lerryan
Nzechukwu
Padilla
Barbosa
Young
McVey
Dyer

I know Hernandez is better than Rodrigues but I feel like Hernandez's last loss could still be in his head and hence it bothers him.  Dunno tho.  Lol.

10 bucks pays 2207.38.  What do you guys think?

[Pumared]

Who do you think would be Makhachev next opponent? Prates or Morales? I wish it would be Morales. Because I think he would give more challenge to Islam than Prates. Prates has never faced anyone who is good at something besides striking (and if he did, then its level was average). Morales trained judo and wrestling and he is from sports family (mother is judoka and father was striking coach). Morales is also huge. I have read that he cut +15kg on average before the fight. Add that he is knocking people. He will start hunting Makhachev head from very first second of the fight. His only disadvantage is that he is 27. Lack of title fight experience and pressure.

I think the same way. Prates said in a news report that the UFC had guaranteed the next title fight against Islam. I think it would be exactly like it was with Garry; Prates will try to knock him out, but Islam is already used to it, he's been through it against Volka. However, Prates fight will sell much more than Morales, unfortunately. The tendency is that the UFC will choose Prates, as he himself said, and Islam will win once again.

I think Prates muay thai stance will allow Makhachev to go double leg takedown and either submit or control Prates till he wins. Counter takedowns with knee, keep distance, that wont work against Makhachev, he has proven that and he aint an amateur to be caught so easy. Prates look smaller than Morales, it will make fight easier for Makhachev.

I havent heard that UFC guaranteed Prates a title fight. Btw UFC love to speculate with that. Morales is on pause since November 2025. Prates fought may 2026. Islam will be ready to fight in half a year probably. I think UFC will first make Prates vs Morales to happen, and only then winner will get a title fight.

In the news article I linked earlier, Prates says that the UFC promised him the next fight against Islam. He knows he's the underdog in that fight, but he says he wants to prove himself and show everyone that he can do it. We know he definitely won't succeed. But in that same article, he commented that Morales will have another fight before attempting a title shot. So, I believe it's true, because there's no reason to, and I haven't seen Morales denying Prates's claims.

Did you see the rumors that Diego Lopes and Charles Oliveira will fight? Apparently, Diego Lopes will move up a weight class to Lightweight - source in portuguese - https://www.superlutas.com.br/noticias/370831/diego-lopes-revela-novidade-sobre-proxima-luta-ufc/

[eaLiTy]

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From his instagram he is only now started to punch pads and put some test on his knee. Even though he is 7-0 in UFC and 19-0 in total, he wont get a title fight immediately when he return.

I am also eager to see that fight happen and I am actually following his social media updates. Shavkat Rakhmonov won't get a title shot on returning immediately but a couple of bouts or an impressive return fight is more than enough to set that title shot. It depends upon when he is planning his next fight, by the looks of it, he might probably return next year

~
Rakhmonov is out of the UFC after injuring his knee again.  Sad as I think he has the best chance to beat Makhachev with the three fighters you mentioned.  Michael Morales is second.

Anyway, do you guys think Rodrigues is a live underdog against Hernandez?

According to the reports, he is back in training and let's see how it goes and whether he will return this year end or early next year. Michael Morales and Carlos Prates have serious knockout power, but on the ground Makhachev is levels above and only Rakhmonov has that elite ground game which makes things interesting for diehard fans.
It is hard to pick against the relentless pace and grappling of Hernandez.

~
Shavkat has resumed training, but he’s not currently ranked, and it’s unlikely he’ll re-enter the rankings. In that case, having him fight Islam would be unfair to Morales and Prates, but he’d undoubtedly be the most dangerous opponent for Islam...

Shavkat would not get an immediate rematch. Since he resumed training, he will be back in the rankings after just one fight.

There was a time when Anthony Pettis was supposed to fight Khabib around 2014, instead Pettis was injured and Khabib faced Rafael dos Anjos, and during that period Dana White was not too interested in giving him a title shot. Then another plan was around 2015 and Khabib got injured and he had a long waiting period to get to the title. Things have changed from that era; Islam Makhachev is a grappler, and if Shavkat Rakhmonov is fit, I won't be surprised if they fight next year end.

[jeremypwr]

10 bucks pays 2207.38.  What do you guys think?

I think that's a nice little $10 donation to your favorite sportsbook lol
Hitting a 13 team acca is not something you see everyday

[TopTort777]

Did you see the rumors that Diego Lopes and Charles Oliveira will fight? Apparently, Diego Lopes will move up a weight class to Lightweight - source in portuguese - https://www.superlutas.com.br/noticias/370831/diego-lopes-revela-novidade-sobre-proxima-luta-ufc/

I have better and more exciting fight announced Check out UFC 333 card

I dont know what is more shocking for me. Merab vs Yan third fight, or Volk vs Evloev fight finally to happen. Or that Alexander Volkov is fighting Kuniev instead of finally getting a title fight I think I am more pumped with Volkanovski vs Evloev. Evloev had a very long path to that fight. If he loses, then Volkanovski has no more opponents in weight class who can beat him.