Official MMA discussion thread pt 2: UFC 268 in MSG Usman vs Colby 2, Rose vs Zhang 2

[HarthorneWingo]

A wrestler getting a striking advantage over a striker, shocking.

Conor can't beat Masvidal or Goethe or Ferguson either. I think he's also have a tough time with Woodley, Usman, Wonderboy, and Colby.

The beauty of Conor being back is that the Masvidal/Gaethje/Tony fights are all possibilities now.

True. The UFC and UFC fans are all better for a repentant Conor McGregor who is here to represent the UFC and fight for a UFC belt. No more talk about bare knuckles or another Mayweather fight. Assuming this is the road we're on and a judge doesn't sentence him to jail, I'm looking forward to the next Conor fight. April?

[waya]

smh at a win over a gatekeeper like Cowboy getting the Conor stans to come out of hiding.

Khabib still spanks him

[j4remi]

Super impressive performance by Ferreira! Oleinik’s grappling isn’t ageless.

He reminds me a little of Maia

Two standing back takes, I can see that impression. Ferreira's an interesting threat because his stand up is good enough and his ground game is lethal. I'd love to see him fight Islam Makchaev.

[Tron Carter]

All credit to Khabib for humbling him and breaking Conor back to reality.

If people think this fight was a "test" for Conor, they are sadly mistaken. Conor was not tested at all. I don't know wtf was going on with Cowboy but it certainly looked like he took the dive. How can you not be ready for the initial onslaught everyone and their mother knew was coming?

Whatever ... then bring on Justin Gaethje or Masvidal and then we'll see. Conor should not get Khabib simply over this fraud of a fight.

We really need to stop running around with this narrative parroted mostly by casuals that cowboy “took a dive”. It’s so patently false and disrespectful to cowboy and the integrity of the sport to even suggest that. The man got his nose smashed in with shoulder strikes and then took a head kick flush on the chin. On what world did that appear to be a dive? Absurd.

Has Cowboy ever been a fast starter in his fights? No. Has Cowboy ever struggled with pressure fighters and south paws? Always. Has Cowboy ever rose to the occasion on a stage that big? Never.

This was a glorified squash match because there literally isn’t a worst matchup in the UFC for Cowboy then Connor Mcgregor. The entire point of this “spectacle” was to get Connor back on his horse to push the Khabib rematch. But since casuals have no clue what sport their watching (not lumping you in that group) they got infatuated with all of Cerrone’s records and finishes and were tricked into believing the hype that he had a legitimate shot.

[Stannis]

smh at a win over a gatekeeper like Cowboy getting the Conor stans to come out of hiding.

Khabib still spanks him

I dunno man... Apparently Conor was drinking and partying before the fight, so you can't really count that.

Khabib only beat Conor because he was more determined, focused, trained, skilled, and hungrier. I think if both fighters made an agreement to only train a certain amount and not take it so seriously, Conor has a chance.

[Stannis]

I thought the drinking excuse was hilarious. It's been like a year since he got spanked by Khabib, why was the whole "drinking before fight" news coming out now, and not a year ago?

[HarthorneWingo]

All credit to Khabib for humbling him and breaking Conor back to reality.

If people think this fight was a "test" for Conor, they are sadly mistaken. Conor was not tested at all. I don't know wtf was going on with Cowboy but it certainly looked like he took the dive. How can you not be ready for the initial onslaught everyone and their mother knew was coming?

Whatever ... then bring on Justin Gaethje or Masvidal and then we'll see. Conor should not get Khabib simply over this fraud of a fight.

We really need to stop running around with this narrative parroted mostly by casuals that cowboy “took a dive”. It’s so patently false and disrespectful to cowboy and the integrity of the sport to even suggest that. The man got his nose smashed in with shoulder strikes and then took a head kick flush on the chin. On what world did that appear to be a dive? Absurd.

Has cowboy ever been a fast starter in his fights? No. Has Cowboy ever not struggled with pressure fighters and south paws? Always. Has cowboy ever rose to the occasion on a stage that big? Never.

This was a glorified squash match because there literally isn’t a worst matchup in the UFC for Cowboy then Connor Mcgregor. The entire point of this “spectacle” was to get Connor back on his horse to push the Khabib rematch. But since casuals have no clue what sport their watching (not lumping you in that group) they got infatuated with all of Cerrone’s records and finishes and were tricked into believing the hype that he had a legitimate shot.

Ok, that was over the top. Agreed. I guess part of me refuses to believe that Cerrone is that broken as a fighter. Time for him to retire.

[Stannis]

If people think this fight was a "test" for Conor, they are sadly mistaken. Conor was not tested at all. I don't know wtf was going on with Cowboy but it certainly looked like he took the dive. How can you not be ready for the initial onslaught everyone and their mother knew was coming?

Whatever ... then bring on Justin Gaethje or Masvidal and then we'll see. Conor should not get Khabib simply over this fraud of a fight.

We really need to stop running around with this narrative parroted mostly by casuals that cowboy “took a dive”. It’s so patently false and disrespectful to cowboy and the integrity of the sport to even suggest that. The man got his nose smashed in with shoulder strikes and then took a head kick flush on the chin. On what world did that appear to be a dive? Absurd.

Has cowboy ever been a fast starter in his fights? No. Has Cowboy ever not struggled with pressure fighters and south paws? Always. Has cowboy ever rose to the occasion on a stage that big? Never.

This was a glorified squash match because there literally isn’t a worst matchup in the UFC for Cowboy then Connor Mcgregor. The entire point of this “spectacle” was to get Connor back on his horse to push the Khabib rematch. But since casuals have no clue what sport their watching (not lumping you in that group) they got infatuated with all of Cerrone’s records and finishes and were tricked into believing the hype that he had a legitimate shot.

Ok, that was over the top. Agreed. I guess part of me refuses to believe that Cerrone is that broken as a fighter. Time for him to retire.

Yea, I'm sure a lot are just pissed the fight lasted 30 seconds.

But in the end, it was just clear Cowboy was picked because he didn't pose a threat stylistically or mentally for a tuneup fight.

[HarthorneWingo]

We really need to stop running around with this narrative parroted mostly by casuals that cowboy “took a dive”. It’s so patently false and disrespectful to cowboy and the integrity of the sport to even suggest that. The man got his nose smashed in with shoulder strikes and then took a head kick flush on the chin. On what world did that appear to be a dive? Absurd.

Has cowboy ever been a fast starter in his fights? No. Has Cowboy ever not struggled with pressure fighters and south paws? Always. Has cowboy ever rose to the occasion on a stage that big? Never.

This was a glorified squash match because there literally isn’t a worst matchup in the UFC for Cowboy then Connor Mcgregor. The entire point of this “spectacle” was to get Connor back on his horse to push the Khabib rematch. But since casuals have no clue what sport their watching (not lumping you in that group) they got infatuated with all of Cerrone’s records and finishes and were tricked into believing the hype that he had a legitimate shot.

Ok, that was over the top. Agreed. I guess part of me refuses to believe that Cerrone is that broken as a fighter. Time for him to retire.

Yea, I'm sure a lot are just pissed the fight lasted 30 seconds.

But in the end, it was just clear Cowboy was picked because he didn't pose a threat stylistically or mentally for a tuneup fight.

People were talking pre-fight that Cowboy was picked to "take a dive" and Cowboy actually responded to it. I think there's a video on Youtube. I thought that kind of talk was pretty silly leading up to the fight (and admittedly now, though his performance did give me pause). I just don't understand if people are saying you're gonna take a dive and that you were picked because you're a slow starter, etc., then if you're taking the fight seriously, isn't the main strategy to have a game plan for that initial bull charge? I just don't get it. And Cowboy pretty much walks right into the storm.

If I'm Cowboy's coach, I'm preparing him for exactly what Cowboy got .. or for what Masvidal did to Askren. To think that once that bell is rung Conor is going to simply skip into the ring to slap gloves before they bounce around for a minute or two feeling each other out. That was never going to happen. So, I dunno. LOL.

Bring on Gaethje or Masvidal. Then we'll see. No matter what, Conor should not get a title fight over this one win.

[Tron Carter]

I agree with you there Wingo. No way Mcgregor deserves a title shot. That’s why I think Dana is protecting him from Masvidal by pushing the immediate Khabib rematch. He doesn’t want the optics of having Connor lose again before facing Khabib. He knows how dangerous Masvidal really is and the thought of him sleeping Mcgregor would be devastating for uncle dana.

[HarthorneWingo]

To my point

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[NoStatsGuy]

i told my homies, conor didnt look right vs khabib and i still believe it.

khabib cant take those shots.

Oh stop it. Conor isn’t doing anything to Khabib. It’s easy to throw those kicks when you don’t have to worry about any takedowns.

i think we are going to find out soon enough.. conor didnt look right vs khabib thats a fact. and cerrone actually turned into and tried to double leg.. did oyu wantch the fight?

people saying conor as no grappling defense are just ignorant. obviously hes in trouble on tghe ground vs a juggernaut like khabib. it still doesnt erase the fact, that conor didnt even have a real camp for khabib

haters gonna hate, and i understand why people cant stand conor. but he looke like a worldbeater last weekend

[Guano]

I f'ing hate the mentality of the these fighters corners. It's infuriating that Maycee Barber's corner allowed her to answer the bell for that 3rd round with her knee damaged like that. She is a 21 year old supremely talented fighter and they allowed her to go out there and damage her knee more - f'ing stupid.

And it's hilarious how polarizing Conor is for this sport. No one has ever moved the needle like him. For me, I just can't look past those sexual assault allegations. I don't know the details and don't plan on using the small amount of time I have alive researching it to make an informed decision. Just hate that it is hanging over his head because it made it impossible to enjoy the hype surrounding the fight.

[NoStatsGuy]

How convenient all that "change" happened after his embarrassing defeat.

Diaz 1 wasn't really a humbling defeat as it was a surprising submission. Khabib fight was a different story and brought Conor to reality . Everyone saw it in the pressers, pre and post fights.

I know you despise Conor - and rightfully so for his antics. But you can’t deny the quality opponents that he’s beat: Aldo, Diaz, Cowboy, Diamond, Mendes, Alvarez and Holloway

also conor had literally no camp for that fight and still took 1 round off khabib, which noone did before.. so yea these gifs is all conor haters have right now

[HarthorneWingo]

I know you despise Conor - and rightfully so for his antics. But you can’t deny the quality opponents that he’s beat: Aldo, Diaz, Cowboy, Diamond, Mendes, Alvarez and Holloway

also conor had literally no camp for that fight and still took 1 round off khabib, which noone did before.. so yea these gifs is all conor haters have right now

No camp? I'm sure Luke Thomas or The Weasel has a video on it. Please oblige.

[NoStatsGuy]

I know you despise Conor - and rightfully so for his antics. But you can’t deny the quality opponents that he’s beat: Aldo, Diaz, Cowboy, Diamond, Mendes, Alvarez and Holloway

also conor had literally no camp for that fight and still took 1 round off khabib, which noone did before.. so yea these gifs is all conor haters have right now

No camp? I'm sure Luke Thomas or The Weasel has a video on it. Please oblige.

finish some1 in sparring leave for 3 days and get drunk is not being in a camp. but yea

[HarthorneWingo]

also conor had literally no camp for that fight and still took 1 round off khabib, which noone did before.. so yea these gifs is all conor haters have right now

No camp? I'm sure Luke Thomas or The Weasel has a video on it. Please oblige.

finish some1 in sparring leave for 3 days and get drunk is not being in a camp. but yea

Khabib had him shook

[Fury]

i told my homies, conor didnt look right vs khabib and i still believe it.

khabib cant take those shots.

Oh stop it. Conor isn’t doing anything to Khabib. It’s easy to throw those kicks when you don’t have to worry about any takedowns.

i think we are going to find out soon enough.. conor didnt look right vs khabib thats a fact. and cerrone actually turned into and tried to double leg.. did oyu wantch the fight?

people saying conor as no grappling defense are just ignorant. obviously hes in trouble on tghe ground vs a juggernaut like khabib. it still doesnt erase the fact, that conor didnt even have a real camp for khabib

haters gonna hate, and i understand why people cant stand conor. but he looke like a worldbeater last weekend

That half assed attempt? Come on dude. Dudes chin is cracked. He’s washed.

Lol @ he didn’t have a real camp vs Khabib. He was saying the same **** before then that he’s in the best shape blah blah you can even look at his Instagram months leading up to the fight looking good now he has 100 excuses and you’re falling for his bull so he gets paid again. When Conor gets his ass handed to him in his next fight, I’ll look for you.

[Stannis]

No camp? I'm sure Luke Thomas or The Weasel has a video on it. Please oblige.

finish some1 in sparring leave for 3 days and get drunk is not being in a camp. but yea

Khabib had him shook

As soon as Comor stepped in the Octagon that fight, he knew he effed up. Made no eye contact and looked scared.

Khabib is a different animal. He was born in darkness like Bane.

[Stannis]

Oh stop it. Conor isn’t doing anything to Khabib. It’s easy to throw those kicks when you don’t have to worry about any takedowns.

i think we are going to find out soon enough.. conor didnt look right vs khabib thats a fact. and cerrone actually turned into and tried to double leg.. did oyu wantch the fight?

people saying conor as no grappling defense are just ignorant. obviously hes in trouble on tghe ground vs a juggernaut like khabib. it still doesnt erase the fact, that conor didnt even have a real camp for khabib

haters gonna hate, and i understand why people cant stand conor. but he looke like a worldbeater last weekend

That half assed attempt? Come on dude. Dudes chin is cracked. He’s washed.

Lol @ he didn’t have a real camp vs Khabib. He was saying the same **** before then that he’s in the best shape blah blah you can even look at his Instagram months leading up to the fight looking good now he has 100 excuses and you’re falling for his bull so he gets paid again. When Conor gets his ass handed to him in his next fight, I’ll look for you.

Word.

These excuses are getting hilarious lol.

Like you said, Conor had a camp. He was talking mad **** before the fight. He claimed he was in shape, that he was going to do this and that, etc.

Also, people forget that Conor broke like half of the UFC rulebook in that fight. So spare me the "he wasn't really trying" excuses. The man was doing everything he could to survive and get an advantage. Oh Whoopie Doo, he won one round. Let's add that to Conor's resume.

I got a bunch of family and friends that are Conor fanboys, and it's just hilarious how many fans this man has making excuses for him and riding his coattails.

He attacked his bus. Talked mad chit. And ultimately got handed one of the most lopsided and embarrassing defeats in a main event. End of story and accept that, fanboyz.

I'm not even a Khabib fan (was going for Poirier last fight truthfully). And I don't despise Conor as much as I do his fans.

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