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

[HarthorneWingo]

From The Bloody Elbow. He’s named in a federal indictment in Michigan.

Francisco Patino, a would-be physician with links to UFC legends, has been named in a $120 million-plus money-laundering scheme.

It also looks like Dana is strongly considering Conor v. Gaethje for early summer at 155. I can’t wait for the mayhem.

[bringbackhoffa]

From The Bloody Elbow. He’s named in a federal indictment in Michigan.

Francisco Patino, a would-be physician with links to UFC legends, has been named in a $120 million-plus money-laundering scheme.

It also looks like Dana is strongly considering Conor v. Gaethje for early summer at 155. I can’t wait for the mayhem.

why? who has Gaethje actually beat, would rather see the Poirer rematch at 155, Justin is so overrated dude has only beat Cerrone, Vick, and Barboza in his last 5 and lost to Porier and Alverez. Porier has won 4 of his last 5 and has beat the names of GAETHJE, Holloway, Alverez, and Pettis. Porier much more deservedly should get the money fight over one of Ali's clients.

[HarthorneWingo]

From The Bloody Elbow. He’s named in a federal indictment in Michigan.

Francisco Patino, a would-be physician with links to UFC legends, has been named in a $120 million-plus money-laundering scheme.

It also looks like Dana is strongly considering Conor v. Gaethje for early summer at 155. I can’t wait for the mayhem.

why? who has Gaethje actually beat, would rather see the Poirer rematch at 155, Justin is so overrated dude has only beat Cerrone, Vick, and Barboza in his last 5 and lost to Porier and Alverez. Porier has won 4 of his last 5 and has beat the names of GAETHJE, Holloway, Alverez, and Pettis. Porier much more deservedly should get the money fight over one of Ali's clients.

Justin softened up Cowboy for Conor. Conor doesn't deserve Khabib who's fighting the other bad dude, El Cucey. Let Conor prove it against Justin. Sounds like you're scared that Justin is going to knock the crap out Conor.

[HarthorneWingo]

Watch on YouTube

[GEOLINK]

From The Bloody Elbow. He’s named in a federal indictment in Michigan.



It also looks like Dana is strongly considering Conor v. Gaethje for early summer at 155. I can’t wait for the mayhem.

why? who has Gaethje actually beat, would rather see the Poirer rematch at 155, Justin is so overrated dude has only beat Cerrone, Vick, and Barboza in his last 5 and lost to Porier and Alverez. Porier has won 4 of his last 5 and has beat the names of GAETHJE, Holloway, Alverez, and Pettis. Porier much more deservedly should get the money fight over one of Ali's clients.

Justin softened up Cowboy for Conor. Conor doesn't deserve Khabib who's fighting the other bad dude, El Cucey. Let Conor prove it against Justin. Sounds like you're scared that Justin is going to knock the crap out Conor.

Tony softened Cowboy for Justin, if you want to go by that narrative.

Cowboy originally broke his nose/eye in the Tony fight. So both benefited from that.

I see Conor taking out Justin handily, if Conor is really back and not back on alcohol and/or possibly other things fight week.

[HarthorneWingo]

why? who has Gaethje actually beat, would rather see the Poirer rematch at 155, Justin is so overrated dude has only beat Cerrone, Vick, and Barboza in his last 5 and lost to Porier and Alverez. Porier has won 4 of his last 5 and has beat the names of GAETHJE, Holloway, Alverez, and Pettis. Porier much more deservedly should get the money fight over one of Ali's clients.

Justin softened up Cowboy for Conor. Conor doesn't deserve Khabib who's fighting the other bad dude, El Cucey. Let Conor prove it against Justin. Sounds like you're scared that Justin is going to knock the crap out Conor.

Tony softened Cowboy for Justin, if you want to go by that narrative.

Cowboy originally broke his nose/eye in the Tony fight. So both benefited from that.

I see Conor taking out Justin handily, if Conor is really back and not back on alcohol and/or possibly other things fight week.

Already dishing out the excuses? it’s going to be mayhem. Those kicks are going to ruin Conor‘s dancing career.

[j4remi]

Justin Gaethje is one of the most entertaining fighters in the UFC and legitimate. 6 against all top 10 opponents in the UFC. 4-2 records with either performance of the night or fight of the night in every single one. He's been in the UFC 3 years, was in the fight of the year in 2017 (Gaethje vs Johnson); on the shortlist in 2018 (Gaethje vs Poirier) and then finished all of his opponents for 2019 inside of the first round...also the lowest ranked of those last three opponents was 8; Vick was 8th when Gaethje steamrolled him. Barboza had just fallen out of the top 5 to 6th. Cerrone was all the way up at 4th. Justin didn't just beat them, he starched all three. Hell, Barboza was fresh off of absolutely annihilating Dan Hooker (ranked fifth right now) when Gaethje smoked him and that's less than two years ago.

Fam...I really don't think there's a single good argument against Conor vs Gaethje unless it's at Welterweight. Justin's never fought there and Conor would once against be fighting a lightweight ranked fighter out of weight class while chasing the lightweight title shot.

Also, Poirier is coming off of a loss and an injury layoff. A tune up fight makes some sense both to show he's recovered fully and to build some momentum going into the money fights at the top (Conor, Tony and Khabib will all be money fights and I'm betting Diamond gets the loser of Tony/Khabib off a KO over Hooker).

[j4remi]

Tony softened Cowboy for Justin, if you want to go by that narrative.

Cowboy originally broke his nose/eye in the Tony fight. So both benefited from that.

I see Conor taking out Justin handily, if Conor is really back and not back on alcohol and/or possibly other things fight week.

I think Justin's the most favorable match-up since he refuses to use his wrestling for anything other than defense and he's hittable. Tony would probably imanari roll to guard and fight Conor on the ground if he got in trouble. Khabib would take Conor down. Justin's gonna take the Nate Diaz route. Try to weather the storm and wear Conor out. Whether Gaethje lasts long enough for Conor to lose steam is the biggest question, second being how well Gaethje's improved movement and angles will look against a precision guy like Conor (bare in mind, Justin looked lights out against Barboza who's elite but mainly for his speed).

[newyorker4ever]

Tony softened Cowboy for Justin, if you want to go by that narrative.

Cowboy originally broke his nose/eye in the Tony fight. So both benefited from that.

I see Conor taking out Justin handily, if Conor is really back and not back on alcohol and/or possibly other things fight week.

I think Justin's the most favorable match-up since he refuses to use his wrestling for anything other than defense and he's hittable. Tony would probably imanari roll to guard and fight Conor on the ground if he got in trouble. Khabib would take Conor down. Justin's gonna take the Nate Diaz route. Try to weather the storm and wear Conor out. Whether Gaethje lasts long enough for Conor to lose steam is the biggest question, second being how well Gaethje's improved movement and angles will look against a precision guy like Conor (bare in mind, Justin looked lights out against Barboza who's elite but mainly for his speed).

Yeah i'm a big Gaethje fight fan because he's always gonna entertain you in his fights with a war but him doing that against a guy with the power Connor has isn't the best idea even though i'm sure he'll still do it cause that's just what he does. At least N.Diaz tries to defend the punches where Gaethje just keeps walking forward and is very hitable. Gaethje does have great leg kicks and he will use them a lot. I guess the question will be can he take as many punches from Connor until he's able to wear Connor down with his always moving forward attack with his punches and kicks until Connor wears down. Diaz is a different animal just like his brother Nick is. Those two have heart for days.

[j4remi]

Yeah i'm a big Gaethje fight fan because he's always gonna entertain you in his fights with a war but him doing that against a guy with the power Connor has isn't the best idea even though i'm sure he'll still do it cause that's just what he does. At least N.Diaz tries to defend the punches where Gaethje just keeps walking forward and is very hitable. Gaethje does have great leg kicks and he will use them a lot. I guess the question will be can he take as many punches from Connor until he's able to wear Connor down with his always moving forward attack with his punches and kicks until Connor wears down. Diaz is a different animal just like his brother Nick is. Those two have heart for days.

Yeah, the Diaz bros have the most insane chins that I have seen this side of Cabbage (old school heavyweight for any curious onlookers). I'll give Gaethje this, it took a TON of damage from Poirier and Alvarez to get him out though. Gaethje's shoddy defensive habits are the scarier part but in this fight run, he's been a lot better in terms of angling out and letting guys come to him sometimes. I'm really 50/50 on the match-up. Conor has the power and chin that Eddie and Dustin needed to win, but his cardio is still super suspect so precision will have to make up that difference and end it faster than those two

...also, it's a trip that Gaethje could probably shoot and win the fight but it's a much better bet to expect him not to

There was an old clip of Justin wrestling early in his career and dude's wrestling is as entertaining and high paced as his striking.

[newyorker4ever]

Yeah i'm a big Gaethje fight fan because he's always gonna entertain you in his fights with a war but him doing that against a guy with the power Connor has isn't the best idea even though i'm sure he'll still do it cause that's just what he does. At least N.Diaz tries to defend the punches where Gaethje just keeps walking forward and is very hitable. Gaethje does have great leg kicks and he will use them a lot. I guess the question will be can he take as many punches from Connor until he's able to wear Connor down with his always moving forward attack with his punches and kicks until Connor wears down. Diaz is a different animal just like his brother Nick is. Those two have heart for days.

Yeah, the Diaz bros have the most insane chins that I have seen this side of Cabbage (old school heavyweight for any curious onlookers). I'll give Gaethje this, it took a TON of damage from Poirier and Alvarez to get him out though. Gaethje's shoddy defensive habits are the scarier part but in this fight run, he's been a lot better in terms of angling out and letting guys come to him sometimes. I'm really 50/50 on the match-up. Conor has the power and chin that Eddie and Dustin needed to win, but his cardio is still super suspect so precision will have to make up that difference and end it faster than those two

...also, it's a trip that Gaethje could probably shoot and win the fight but it's a much better bet to expect him not to

There was an old clip of Justin wrestling early in his career and dude's wrestling is as entertaining and high paced as his striking.

Yeah Gaethje definitely can wrestle but that's just not how he likes to fight. If he doesn't then he needs to really wear Connor down with his leg kicks that are very good as well. Connor does wear down but if Gaethje fights the way he always does then this fight won't make it to the championship rounds (I know it's not for a championship but i'm sure it will be the main event and be 5 rounds). I really couldn't see it making it out of the 2nd round and that's if it even makes it to the 2nd round...LOL.

[HarthorneWingo]

Conor does have a wide stance so that right leg will be there for Justin. He’ll just have to do that while being aware of Conors left hand.

[bringbackhoffa]

Conor does have a wide stance so that right leg will be there for Justin. He’ll just have to do that while being aware of Conors left hand.

if it were to happen i am assuming this would have to happen no earlier than August as all PPV up to then already have title fights headlining and Conor will not be a co-main fight

[HarthorneWingo]

Conor does have a wide stance so that right leg will be there for Justin. He’ll just have to do that while being aware of Conors left hand.

if it were to happen i am assuming this would have to happen no earlier than August as all PPV up to then already have title fights headlining and Conor will not be a co-main fight

I think August is what I heard though they can move things around if they want, right?

[Tron Carter]

So I guess Figueiredo really is the flw yoel romero huh? smh

[GEOLINK]

Justin softened up Cowboy for Conor. Conor doesn't deserve Khabib who's fighting the other bad dude, El Cucey. Let Conor prove it against Justin. Sounds like you're scared that Justin is going to knock the crap out Conor.

Tony softened Cowboy for Justin, if you want to go by that narrative.

Cowboy originally broke his nose/eye in the Tony fight. So both benefited from that.

I see Conor taking out Justin handily, if Conor is really back and not back on alcohol and/or possibly other things fight week.

Already dishing out the excuses? it’s going to be mayhem. Those kicks are going to ruin Conor‘s dancing career.

Justin is Eddie Alvarez 2.0

He's been knocked out before, Conor can do it again.

[HarthorneWingo]

Tony softened Cowboy for Justin, if you want to go by that narrative.

Cowboy originally broke his nose/eye in the Tony fight. So both benefited from that.

I see Conor taking out Justin handily, if Conor is really back and not back on alcohol and/or possibly other things fight week.

Already dishing out the excuses? it’s going to be mayhem. Those kicks are going to ruin Conor‘s dancing career.

Justin is Eddie Alvarez 2.0

He's been knocked out before, Conor can do it again.

Unless he binges on cocaine and Proper 12 the week before?

Dana has to rework things so that the winner of Conor vs. Gaethje can meet the winner of Khabib vs. Tony later in the year. May or June? Goethe is ready. Conor barely worked up a sweat against Cowboy. Dana needs to bill this for the UFC PPV after Khabib/Ferguson. Agree?

[GEOLINK]

Already dishing out the excuses? it’s going to be mayhem. Those kicks are going to ruin Conor‘s dancing career.

Justin is Eddie Alvarez 2.0

He's been knocked out before, Conor can do it again.

Unless he binges on cocaine and Proper 12 the week before?

Dana has to rework things so that the winner of Conor vs. Gaethje can meet the winner of Khabib vs. Tony later in the year. May or June? Goethe is ready. Conor barely worked up a sweat against Cowboy. Dana needs to bill this for the UFC PPV after Khabib/Ferguson. Agree?

You would love to see Conor get demolished. But it ain't gonna work that way.

Cowboy did nada, I'm sure you were hoping Cowboy would chop down Conor's leg or take him down as well. Bad, bad Wingo!

But, yes, this should fight should be next after Khabib/Tony.

[HarthorneWingo]

Justin is Eddie Alvarez 2.0

He's been knocked out before, Conor can do it again.

Unless he binges on cocaine and Proper 12 the week before?

Dana has to rework things so that the winner of Conor vs. Gaethje can meet the winner of Khabib vs. Tony later in the year. May or June? Goethe is ready. Conor barely worked up a sweat against Cowboy. Dana needs to bill this for the UFC PPV after Khabib/Ferguson. Agree?

You would love to see Conor get demolished. But it ain't gonna work that way.

Cowboy did nada, I'm sure you were hoping Cowboy would chop down Conor's leg or take him down as well. Bad, bad Wingo!

But, yes, this should fight should be next after Khabib/Tony.

[GEOLINK]

Unless he binges on cocaine and Proper 12 the week before?

Dana has to rework things so that the winner of Conor vs. Gaethje can meet the winner of Khabib vs. Tony later in the year. May or June? Goethe is ready. Conor barely worked up a sweat against Cowboy. Dana needs to bill this for the UFC PPV after Khabib/Ferguson. Agree?

You would love to see Conor get demolished. But it ain't gonna work that way.

Cowboy did nada, I'm sure you were hoping Cowboy would chop down Conor's leg or take him down as well. Bad, bad Wingo!

But, yes, this should fight should be next after Khabib/Tony.