Official MMA discussion thread pt 3 UFC 316: Merab vs O'Malley 2 and Harrison vs Pena

[Jkam31]

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You can hear Masvidal yelling what happens to your knee Colby must be hurt and masvidal knows this. Might be time to put money on jorge

[j4remi]

These guys gotta stop letting Ali tweet for them. I assume they expected RDA to turn down a 170 fight and got their bluff called. It's tough to imagine Islam playing himself like that...he's way too confident. Maybe Khabib stepped in? He's fought RDA before and was able to get the fight down but didn't do much with it. It's one of his least impressive performances. So maybe there were concerns about taking that fight without a camp to prepare. It's still a tough pill to swallow from a guy who spent the past three years claiming that his weak strength of schedule is because all the good guys won't fight him. He had his chance and turned it down here.

Would it have changed your mind at all if he had just turned it down from the beginning?

Yeah, I'd have chalked it up to wear and tear. But he asked for the fight, then tried to demand a catchweight outside of RDA's comfort-level, THEN turned down the fight. So that order of circumstances is my problem, and I think Dana's reaction says a lot.

[j4remi]

I'm in a similar boat as you in not really liking the behavior of either guy in the main event. The Fiziev injury really took the wind out of my sails on this one, because I was so hyped for that match-up. But the match-ups overall aren't bad, especially that Barboza/Mitchell fight and Holland/Oliveira which should be guaranteed fireworks.

- For Colby vs Masvidal, the interesting part will be finding out how far they've come since being tight. Every clip of them training that I've seen has been Colby sorta rag dolling Masvidal, but these are from ages ago and both guys have grown since then. On paper, they're kinda reciprocals. Colby's at his best when he's throwing volume and constantly pushing forward. Masvidal is at peak when he's baiting opponents into counters. Masvidal has the added benefit of training for a similar style to Colby with his multiple fights with Usman. But Colby has enough familiarity with Jorge that I wouldn't stress over it too much.

Basically, I'm with you. I think Colby's pressure and wrestling will work similar to how Usman's did. But Colby doesn't have the KO power that Usman does, so that at least keeps this fight in the territory of being interesting. I lean Covington, but I think the odds are too wide from Vegas.

- The Mitchell vs Barboza fight seems like it plays into Bryce Mitchell's strengths. Barboza is pretty bad when he's moving backwards and he's not great when he's forced into grappling matches. He doesn't have the footwork to keep guys from backing him up to the cage. But hasn't exactly fought elite strikers and Barboza is even a notch above the elite guys. Barboza also seems to seriously dislike Bryce Mitchell which I've never seen before. He's a nice guy.

I think we'll know who wins this fight within the first couple of minutes. If Mitchell can take down Barboza early, the whole complexion changes and Bryce will own it. If Mitchell can't get his hands on Barboza, then he'll get pieced up badly.

- Holland vs Oliveira is where I think the FOTN falls. Oliveira will try to get the fight to the ground, but he's not at the level of other wrestlers who have dominated Holland. I edge Holland in striking and Oliveira in power, but I think Cowboy's gotta get the fight to the ground. What makes this especially interesting is that Oliveira will fight dirty if he's losing...so even if Holland avoids grappling early, when things get dicey Oliveira might test him in other ways.

- RDA vs Moicano is a mismatch, but he's quietly submitted three of his last four opponents. Those guys were wrestlers though. I think RDA is at least as good a grappler and also the superior striker.

- Hardy vs Spivak belongs on the early prelims of a free card...or in a weaker league. Hardy isn't good, Spivak isn't good...but Hardy's contract and NFL fame means that he gets way too many chances to keep failing. I think they chose Spivak because he's beatable even for a Hardy. Spivak's a vet though, he beat Tai Tuivasa when the big man was still raw. So if Hardy is still half-assing then he'll lose again.

The Prelims got some hype too
- Jalen Turner is a really good prospect. Huge for his weight class and only sporting losses to true UFC talent. He's young and developing, with a lot of experience for his age. His opponent is Jamie Mularkey, fresh off upsetting two promising striking prospects ironically. So this is an interesting match-up with two guys trying to launch into a higher level.

- Yan Xionan just lost to Carla Esparza in a number one contender eliminator. She's legit enough to get that close to a title fight with Rose, and has KO power in a division where it's rare...but so does her opponent. Marina Rodriguez is fresh off putting the beats on Mackenzie Dern and Michelle Waterson back to back. These women are both killer strikers, so this could be another FOTN candidate.

Lastly some names on the early prelims:
While the main and co-main are disappointing, at least this card has some depth. Tim Elliott is 2-4 in his last 6 fights, but he only fought monsters. He's still a quality fighter with a TUF title. His opponent has a nice record, but I'm not familiar.

Then the other fight which honestly should switch with Hardy vs Spivak and be on the PPV is Brian Kelleher vs Umar Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov is a very good prospect, Khabib's cousin. He's really talented, but young and green. Kelleher only loses to guys that are pushing into the rankings and has a MASSIVE experience advantage. He's fought contenders and former champs. He's exactly the type to upset a prospect that gets caught sleeping. Kelleher's a perfect test for Umar!

So we got hella fights worth looking at. But I'm not sure about the PPV price tag when both main events seem light to me.

you actually have me more hyped for the prelims. lol.

Putting marina vs Xionan on the prelims is a crime. they should definitely be on a main card. marina should be undefeated that loss to Carla was a robbery - granted I'm really biased against carla as I don't appreciate wrestlers who show no ability to finish fights. A win here should put Marina into a title shot.

And that fight with lil Nurmagomedov vs Kelleher should be a banger. Kelleher is game and a Khabib relative is must watch.


Here is to hoping the main event isn't Colby holding Masvidal on the fence for 5 frustrating rounds. But i'm with you I think Colby is just too relentless with pace and an improved stand up game to lose this one. I think Masvidal's best chance is in the 1st or early 2nd before Colby finds his grove. Though if Colby puts masvidal on his back quickly it will be a long ugly fight

Yeah fam, those are some BANGERS on the prelim. Marina hits HARD, which I'm definitely looking forward to seeing. I actually forgot that decision went to Esparza. That was a back-to-back bad decisions situation where I though Carla lost to both Waterson and Marina back to back. Wrestling without damage still seems too weighted for my taste.

Speaking of which, that's where we get Colby and likely a position battle. I'm definitely worried about a lot of cage clinch work with very little action. Masvidal low-key throws some nasty elbows in close. It didn't work with Usman, but against a weaker and less threatening with strikes Colby it might help out here.

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You can hear Masvidal yelling what happens to your knee Colby must be hurt and masvidal knows this. Might be time to put money on jorge

I was wondering about that too. Sounded like Masvidal was asking about a cortisone shot to me.

[Jkam31]

I'm in a similar boat as you in not really liking the behavior of either guy in the main event. The Fiziev injury really took the wind out of my sails on this one, because I was so hyped for that match-up. But the match-ups overall aren't bad, especially that Barboza/Mitchell fight and Holland/Oliveira which should be guaranteed fireworks.

- For Colby vs Masvidal, the interesting part will be finding out how far they've come since being tight. Every clip of them training that I've seen has been Colby sorta rag dolling Masvidal, but these are from ages ago and both guys have grown since then. On paper, they're kinda reciprocals. Colby's at his best when he's throwing volume and constantly pushing forward. Masvidal is at peak when he's baiting opponents into counters. Masvidal has the added benefit of training for a similar style to Colby with his multiple fights with Usman. But Colby has enough familiarity with Jorge that I wouldn't stress over it too much.

Basically, I'm with you. I think Colby's pressure and wrestling will work similar to how Usman's did. But Colby doesn't have the KO power that Usman does, so that at least keeps this fight in the territory of being interesting. I lean Covington, but I think the odds are too wide from Vegas.

- The Mitchell vs Barboza fight seems like it plays into Bryce Mitchell's strengths. Barboza is pretty bad when he's moving backwards and he's not great when he's forced into grappling matches. He doesn't have the footwork to keep guys from backing him up to the cage. But hasn't exactly fought elite strikers and Barboza is even a notch above the elite guys. Barboza also seems to seriously dislike Bryce Mitchell which I've never seen before. He's a nice guy.

I think we'll know who wins this fight within the first couple of minutes. If Mitchell can take down Barboza early, the whole complexion changes and Bryce will own it. If Mitchell can't get his hands on Barboza, then he'll get pieced up badly.

- Holland vs Oliveira is where I think the FOTN falls. Oliveira will try to get the fight to the ground, but he's not at the level of other wrestlers who have dominated Holland. I edge Holland in striking and Oliveira in power, but I think Cowboy's gotta get the fight to the ground. What makes this especially interesting is that Oliveira will fight dirty if he's losing...so even if Holland avoids grappling early, when things get dicey Oliveira might test him in other ways.

- RDA vs Moicano is a mismatch, but he's quietly submitted three of his last four opponents. Those guys were wrestlers though. I think RDA is at least as good a grappler and also the superior striker.

- Hardy vs Spivak belongs on the early prelims of a free card...or in a weaker league. Hardy isn't good, Spivak isn't good...but Hardy's contract and NFL fame means that he gets way too many chances to keep failing. I think they chose Spivak because he's beatable even for a Hardy. Spivak's a vet though, he beat Tai Tuivasa when the big man was still raw. So if Hardy is still half-assing then he'll lose again.

The Prelims got some hype too
- Jalen Turner is a really good prospect. Huge for his weight class and only sporting losses to true UFC talent. He's young and developing, with a lot of experience for his age. His opponent is Jamie Mularkey, fresh off upsetting two promising striking prospects ironically. So this is an interesting match-up with two guys trying to launch into a higher level.

- Yan Xionan just lost to Carla Esparza in a number one contender eliminator. She's legit enough to get that close to a title fight with Rose, and has KO power in a division where it's rare...but so does her opponent. Marina Rodriguez is fresh off putting the beats on Mackenzie Dern and Michelle Waterson back to back. These women are both killer strikers, so this could be another FOTN candidate.

Lastly some names on the early prelims:
While the main and co-main are disappointing, at least this card has some depth. Tim Elliott is 2-4 in his last 6 fights, but he only fought monsters. He's still a quality fighter with a TUF title. His opponent has a nice record, but I'm not familiar.

Then the other fight which honestly should switch with Hardy vs Spivak and be on the PPV is Brian Kelleher vs Umar Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov is a very good prospect, Khabib's cousin. He's really talented, but young and green. Kelleher only loses to guys that are pushing into the rankings and has a MASSIVE experience advantage. He's fought contenders and former champs. He's exactly the type to upset a prospect that gets caught sleeping. Kelleher's a perfect test for Umar!

So we got hella fights worth looking at. But I'm not sure about the PPV price tag when both main events seem light to me.

you actually have me more hyped for the prelims. lol.

Putting marina vs Xionan on the prelims is a crime. they should definitely be on a main card. marina should be undefeated that loss to Carla was a robbery - granted I'm really biased against carla as I don't appreciate wrestlers who show no ability to finish fights. A win here should put Marina into a title shot.

And that fight with lil Nurmagomedov vs Kelleher should be a banger. Kelleher is game and a Khabib relative is must watch.


Here is to hoping the main event isn't Colby holding Masvidal on the fence for 5 frustrating rounds. But i'm with you I think Colby is just too relentless with pace and an improved stand up game to lose this one. I think Masvidal's best chance is in the 1st or early 2nd before Colby finds his grove. Though if Colby puts masvidal on his back quickly it will be a long ugly fight

Yeah fam, those are some BANGERS on the prelim. Marina hits HARD, which I'm definitely looking forward to seeing. I actually forgot that decision went to Esparza. That was a back-to-back bad decisions situation where I though Carla lost to both Waterson and Marina back to back. Wrestling without damage still seems too weighted for my taste.

Speaking of which, that's where we get Colby and likely a position battle. I'm definitely worried about a lot of cage clinch work with very little action. Masvidal low-key throws some nasty elbows in close. It didn't work with Usman, but against a weaker and less threatening with strikes Colby it might help out here.

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You can hear Masvidal yelling what happens to your knee Colby must be hurt and masvidal knows this. Might be time to put money on jorge

I was wondering about that too. Sounded like Masvidal was asking about a cortisone shot to me.

To me the cortisone comment might be the giveaway you don’t make statements like that without knowing something. Than again I’m also the few that now believe the beef is fake

[HarthorneWingo]

These guys gotta stop letting Ali tweet for them. I assume they expected RDA to turn down a 170 fight and got their bluff called. It's tough to imagine Islam playing himself like that...he's way too confident. Maybe Khabib stepped in? He's fought RDA before and was able to get the fight down but didn't do much with it. It's one of his least impressive performances. So maybe there were concerns about taking that fight without a camp to prepare. It's still a tough pill to swallow from a guy who spent the past three years claiming that his weak strength of schedule is because all the good guys won't fight him. He had his chance and turned it down here.

Would it have changed your mind at all if he had just turned it down from the beginning?

Yeah, I'd have chalked it up to wear and tear. But he asked for the fight, then tried to demand a catchweight outside of RDA's comfort-level, THEN turned down the fight. So that order of circumstances is my problem, and I think Dana's reaction says a lot.

That had to come from his manager, no?

[j4remi]

Yeah, I'd have chalked it up to wear and tear. But he asked for the fight, then tried to demand a catchweight outside of RDA's comfort-level, THEN turned down the fight. So that order of circumstances is my problem, and I think Dana's reaction says a lot.

That had to come from his manager, no?

That's what it looks like to me, and Ali has a bit of a reputation for some antics.

[j4remi]

Tim Elliott just threw everything but the kitchen sink at Ulanbekov to pull off an upset. Ulanbekov is really good, but Elliott threw him off with a mix of some taunts, diverse attacks, and a few fouls along the way. Great fight to set this off and now it's Kelleher vs Umar Nurmagomedov. Biggest favorite on the card, much-hyped prospect but a super vet as an opponent.

[Guano]

Yan vs Marina fight delivered. Sucks someone had to lose. The pace was insane. Such a great fight.

[HarthorneWingo]

Yan vs Marina fight delivered. Sucks someone had to lose. The pace was insane. Such a great fight.

Marina is so much like Joanna is build, style, and executing. Those two fighting each other would be like that animated Spider Man gif.

I would imagine that Marina would get the winner of Rose vs. Carla Esparza? Or should Marina fight Zhang and the winner of that fight get the winner of Rose vs. Carla?

Fck Colby. Pitter pat, pitter pat, pitter pat, taken down, waste time ... wash, rinse, repeat. All I can say is, "Look at their faces after the fight. Who took worse damage?" I'd say it was Colby. He'll STILL lose to Usman. We'll see what happens after Khamzat fights Gilbert Burns. I think Colby should have to fight the winner of that fight first before getting another shot at Usman. Thoughts?

[HarthorneWingo]

Tim Elliott just threw everything but the kitchen sink at Ulanbekov to pull off an upset. Ulanbekov is really good, but Elliott threw him off with a mix of some taunts, diverse attacks, and a few fouls along the way. Great fight to set this off and now it's Kelleher vs Umar Nurmagomedov. Biggest favorite on the card, much-hyped prospect but a super vet as an opponent.

Remember when Tim took Demetrious Johnson 5 rounds? He looked like that fight again tonight.

[Jkam31]

Yan vs Marina fight delivered. Sucks someone had to lose. The pace was insane. Such a great fight.

Marina is so much like Joanna is build, style, and executing. Those two fighting each other would be like that animated Spider Man gif.

I would imagine that Marina would get the winner of Rose vs. Carla Esparza? Or should Marina fight Zhang and the winner of that fight get the winner of Rose vs. Carla?

Fck Colby. Pitter pat, pitter pat, pitter pat, taken down, waste time ... wash, rinse, repeat. All I can say is, "Look at their faces after the fight. Who took worse damage?" I'd say it was Colby. He'll STILL lose to Usman. We'll see what happens after Khamzat fights Gilbert Burns. I think Colby should have to fight the winner of that fight first before getting another shot at Usman. Thoughts?

ypu can’t be a casual fan so I ask why that take on Colby obviously you hate his character cause he flat dominated the fight what do you want him to do. And he beat Usman last fight so “he’ll still lose” is comical Usman and Colby should fight best of 7 nobody is touching them

[HarthorneWingo]

Yan vs Marina fight delivered. Sucks someone had to lose. The pace was insane. Such a great fight.

Marina is so much like Joanna is build, style, and executing. Those two fighting each other would be like that animated Spider Man gif.

I would imagine that Marina would get the winner of Rose vs. Carla Esparza? Or should Marina fight Zhang and the winner of that fight get the winner of Rose vs. Carla?

Fck Colby. Pitter pat, pitter pat, pitter pat, taken down, waste time ... wash, rinse, repeat. All I can say is, "Look at their faces after the fight. Who took worse damage?" I'd say it was Colby. He'll STILL lose to Usman. We'll see what happens after Khamzat fights Gilbert Burns. I think Colby should have to fight the winner of that fight first before getting another shot at Usman. Thoughts?

ypu can’t be a casual fan so I ask why that take on Colby obviously you hate his character cause he flat dominated the fight what do you want him to do. And he beat Usman last fight so “he’ll still lose” is comical Usman and Colby should fight best of 7 nobody is touching them

I don’t think he beat Usman. And if they fight for the belt again, then he’ll lose a third time.

Look, even Colby said he put on a crap performance. It’s just not fun to watch at times. Last night was one of them. Why did Colby’s face look more messed up than Jorge’s? Colby had one solid elbow on n Jorge during his ground and pound. Other than that, it was hold on, maintain position, tap tap tap tap, try for a RNC. Wash, rinse, repeat.

He needs to fight and beat the winner of Burns v. Khamzat before getting another crack at Usman. Do you disagree with that?

I can’t deny that Colby is an incredible wrestler with insane cardio. An amazing combination.

[HarthorneWingo]

Cain was denied bail by the judge. But the guy who raped his 14 year old niece multiple times? He out on bail.

These judges are getting worse and worse.

[Jkam31]

Cain was denied bail by the judge. But the guy who raped his 14 year old niece multiple times? He out on bail.

These judges are getting worse and worse.

Not only that dude was **** sent free with no **** bail man

[HarthorneWingo]

Cain was denied bail by the judge. But the guy who raped his 14 year old niece multiple times? He out on bail.

These judges are getting worse and worse.

Not only that dude was **** sent free with no **** bail man

What? How the hell does that happen?

There was just another case where a cop who repeatedly raped a 14 year old pleaded guilty and got a suspended sentence. No jail time. Clearly, there was a conspiracy between the judge, the prosecutor, and the defense attorney.

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[j4remi]

I was running around a conference all week so I didn't get to hype this week's card but it's a got a bunch of promising Euro-talent. It's also taking place in UK so the prelims are starting with Mohamed Mokaev (a super prospect) fighting Cody Durden (a dude who said some racist ish after beating a Chinese opponent).

Main card is at 4:00 with Ilia Topuria, Paddy Pimblett, Tom Aspinall and Arnold Allen all rocking. Allen's fighting Dan Hooker which is flames and Aspinall's got Volkov which is a big opportunity.

On the prelim we also get Nikita Krylov vs Paul Craig which could be a gem. I always liked Krylov because of his kicks but he never pieced everything together. He's finally starting to show the mental side behind a lot of skill. Paul Craig is lethal on the ground and on a good streak, but I still don't trust his striking though it's developed a TON since his debut when he didn't seem to know he could move his head.

[HarthorneWingo]

I was running around a conference all week so I didn't get to hype this week's card but it's a got a bunch of promising Euro-talent. It's also taking place in UK so the prelims are starting with Mohamed Mokaev (a super prospect) fighting Cody Durden (a dude who said some racist ish after beating a Chinese opponent).

Main card is at 4:00 with Ilia Topuria, Paddy Pimblett, Tom Aspinall and Arnold Allen all rocking. Allen's fighting Dan Hooker which is flames and Aspinall's got Volkov which is a big opportunity.

On the prelim we also get Nikita Krylov vs Paul Craig which could be a gem. I always liked Krylov because of his kicks but he never pieced everything together. He's finally starting to show the mental side behind a lot of skill. Paul Craig is lethal on the ground and on a good streak, but I still don't trust his striking though it's developed a TON since his debut when he didn't seem to know he could move his head.

But? But what? Where are your priorities, sir?

Conor vs Usman? Where’s GEOLINK?

[Guano]

Card has been extremely entertaining so far.

[HarthorneWingo]

Card has been extremely entertaining so far.

How about Paul Craig tying Krylov up in a knot? That should get Craig into the top 10.

[Guano]

Card has been extremely entertaining so far.

How about Paul Craig tying Krylov up in a knot? That should get Craig into the top 10.

He's so slick on the ground. Wad impressed he weathered the storm and was able to wrap up a sub.

The card was loaded with violence. 2 contenders for KO of the year.

Sad to see hooker fall completely out of contention. He seems like a pretty cool guy.

Anyways fun day of fights.