The MMA Thread: DON'T ASK 4 STREAMS & NO GIFS- Cannonier, Imavov, Reyes, Rosas on NOW

[illphillip]

He's not beating Barao though.  Did anyone see anything in their first match that would indicate otherwise? 

One way to spin it is that I don't think Bang was coaching Alpha Male at the time of their first fight.

 

[deezyvsop2]

I feel that, but the counter argument to that would be Faber ain't been beating guys by KO/TKO.

His striking was great against McDonald, but it's his grappling and subs that finished the fights.  Granted, his striking certainly helped to set all of that up.

Still, I think Faber (and maybe Benavidez and Mendes) are destined to be second best.  I've seen the dude in person and like him, but dang, I think as long as guys like Jose Aldo and Renan Barao are around, he just won't be a champ.  I'd love to see him take it, but if I'm putting down a bet, it's on Barao.

 

[captainjackson]

faber about to go 0-3 in title fights in the UFC. best shot at getting that UFC gold is for him to grow his hair longer and challenge rousey.

 

[captaincrown3]

can't wait. I hope they update this awesome video.

 

[JCMojica24]

Barao should have no problem with Faber he dominated him last time.

 

[notoriouslar]

Barao opened at -285, Faber +255. I think Urijah knows this his last shot and is a serious live dog here.

Will be rooting for The Kid.

 

[maicolkickhead]

didnt faber injured his rib on the first round of the fight. i dont remember exactly what it was.
i expect faber to make this fight a lot more challenging than the first.

 

[daprescription]

I wanted to see Cruz lose, but I'm happy about the rematch.

 

[deezyvsop2]

Barao doesn't need to beat Cruz, but it would help to add some more legitimacy.  Barao is like 99% there, and beating Cruz convincingly would give us that definitive answer.  I think Barao is better anyway, but a shame that fight ain't happening.

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

Even with prime 100% healthy Cruz, the division is probably the weakest in MMA. Not really making any specific point, but I was just looking at the rankings and was like meh at all the names.

 

[deezyvsop2]

I think you mean weakest in the UFC, but I get your point.  Once that women's strawweight division opens up though....

Women's bantamweight may already be the weakest, depending on if anyone can give Rousey a run for her money. 

Flyweight is pretty dead too.

 

[notoriouslar]

Flyweight has some life: Bagautinov, Dodson, Creepy, Lineker if he can make weight...

 

[deezyvsop2]

I guess I said that cuz Mighty Mouse already beat Dodson and Creepy.  Dodson did have him in trouble though, would make for a good rematch.

edit: Johnson is just cleaning out the division, but there are a few potential matchups.

 

[thehealthinspector]

my dude dom

 

[quik1987]

Cruz would have got dominated by Barao anyway.

Barao been the true champ

 

[smedroc]

Even with prime 100% healthy Cruz, the division is probably the weakest in MMA. Not really making any specific point, but I was just looking at the rankings and was like meh at all the names.

Flyweight is worse...

p4p very few are more talented and well rounded than Barao, Cruz and Faber.

After that there are some very solid fighters but i agree it lacks the depth of the heavier weight classes.

 

[deezyvsop2]

Rumors starting about Werdum vs. Browne in a title eliminator.

Who do you y'all got and why?

Werdum commented on Browne's lack of cardio, but even if that's true, it won't matter if Werdum can't stop Browne's assaults.  Werdum looks a bit better on paper, but my gut says Browne would win.

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

Flyweight is worse...

p4p very few are more talented and well rounded than Barao, Cruz and Faber.

After that there are some very solid fighters but i agree it lacks the depth of the heavier weight classes.

Cruz is pretty much done in my opinion, but the depth simply isn't there in the division even with prime Cruz. Flyweight is definitely not anything to write home about either though, I agree.

 
Rumors starting about Werdum vs. Browne in a title eliminator.

Who do you y'all got and why?

Werdum commented on Browne's lack of cardio, but even if that's true, it won't matter if Werdum can't stop Browne's assaults.  Werdum looks a bit better on paper, but my gut says Browne would win.

Dana has been saying Wedum would get the winner of Browne/Barnett for a while now. I'd hope Browne wins because I don't think Werdum has anything for Cain. I at least think Browne would threaten Cain or has the chance to threaten him more than Werdum.

 

[deezyvsop2]

Cain wins the majority of his fights by ground and pound though.

Gotta think Werdum could sneak in a submission attempt in there somewhere.

Still think Cain would win, but both cases obviously have their matchup problems.

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

The thing is Cain should and will be smarter than that. Really the only threat Werdum poses to Cain is his grappling and I don't see Cain letting himself be put in any vulnerable situations. I don't think the fight would be dynamic at all compared to a fight with Browne. Werdum's standup has definitely evolved though. It will be great to see him matchup with Browne.

 

[deezyvsop2]

I don't see Cain in trouble either, except for the occasional sub attempt.  Werdum's striking HAS improved, but if Cain survived his last two fights against JDS, I don't see what Werdum could do to really hurt him.

JDS was the last serious threat to Velasquez I think.  Not that Werdum or Browne are cakewalks, and I still think Browne could put Cain or anyone else in trouble. 

And there's always Jon Jones talking about moving to HW.

 

[justscrap]

do you think Browne's footwork can give him a chance against Cain. I remember during the bigfoot fight, he was getting good strikes off before he got injury and Florian was impressed at how well he moved.

 

[deezyvsop2]

Browne's sheer size is an issue.  His striking is pretty good for a guy his size.

I think his victory over Overeem was a bit overblown, Alistair doesn't look the same after he stopped doing whatever he was doing for the Brock fight.  But he was able to finish Overeem, which come to think of it, lots of guys were able to do.

Nothing to laugh at, but Cain has the overall advantage.

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

I agree, I thought Browne's win over Reem was a bit overblown just like I think Brock's win over Carwin is. Both Browne and Lesnar were getting destroyed until Reem and Carwin both gassed.

 

[deezyvsop2]

But see the thing about Reem vs. Browne, yeah Reem looked like he was about to finish the fight, but he looked much the same against Bigfoot for two rounds.

Picture old Reem on top of Bigfoot throwing those bombs.  Bigfoot would be out cold.  But the shots he threw from top position didn't seem to REALLY hurt Bigfoot.  Then of course we know what happened in R3.

Same for Browne.  I feel like a lot of those shots would have finished guys back when Reem was in K-1 and whatever.  Even though Browne was getting tagged, he didn't seem THAT fazed by what Overeem was throwing.