UFC / MMA

[Duluth]

My 253 predictions/guesses

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The Kiwis

Israel Adesanya v Paulo Costa
The longer this goes the better for Adesanya. I suspect he'll avoid the early danger and get a stoppage in the 5th

I wouldn't be that surprised if he gets caught early though. All the questions about this fight relate to Costa because he doesn't have a long record in the UFC. Can he catch a high quality counter striker? Does the weight cut, muscle mass and volume of his work count against him in a five round fight?

Kai Kara-France v Brandon Royval
All depends on KKF's takedown defence. KKF by KO or Royval by sub

Brad Riddell v Alex da Silva
This should be the easiest of the kiwi fights. Riddell by KO

Shane Young v Ľudovít Klein
No idea. Klein is on debut but he seems to be rated. Young almost quit in recent times because of injuries etc. Hoping to see Young back to his best but he's the slight underdog

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Others

Diego Sanchez v Jake Matthews
The Aussie by decision. Sanchez looked a bit shit recently

Dominick Reyes v Jan Błachowicz
Reyes to keep this on the feet where he has an advantage. A stoppage in the 4th

[raznomore]

I think Izzy loses the belt. I'm not happy about it but I just have a feeling that he's going to get his clock cleaned. So want to be wrong. If I am wrong then Izzy by UD if Im right, Costa KO round 1.

[Duluth]

@raznomore said in UFC:

I think Izzy loses the belt. I'm not happy about it but I just have a feeling that he's going to get his clock cleaned. So want to be wrong. If I am wrong then Izzy by UD if Im right, Costa KO round 1.

Yeah I'll be nervous watching this one. If it gets past the first couple I'm relatively confident though

[Duluth]

So that’s why Klein was rated.. impressive KO

[Duluth]

Riddell got better the longer that fight went. Good comeback after a difficult round one

[Duluth]

Royval looked great. Two awesome UFC fights for him

KKF didn’t look bad, just couldn’t settle against that volume. Another day he could’ve got a KO

Good to see KKF kept Poi E for the walkout

[Duluth]

Jan! That power gets it done. I was expecting Reyes to keep him on the end of kicks and take control later.

One of those fights I didn’t care who won. I like them both. Wierd after so many Jones LHW title fights..

[raznomore]

Just wow

[Duluth]

Fuck yeah! Izzy does it easily

Costa didn't go hard early. Izzy ripped kicks into the legs then started increasing the attacks up high in round 2.

[raznomore]

He owns the UFC now. He’s the biggest star.

[raznomore]

Somethings brewing. Lots of chatter about Izzy right pec. I noticed during the ring intros that it looked weird. People are claiming it’s Gynecomastia.

I really hope it’s just a pec tear.

[muddyriver]

Was definitely gyno noticed itr straight away but there is plenty of reasons for gyno especially with big weight cuts. If the tests dont pop him hes safe as houses

[MiketheSnow]

@raznomore said in UFC:

Somethings brewing. Lots of chatter about Izzy right pec. I noticed during the ring intros that it looked weird. People are claiming it’s Gynecomastia.

I really hope it’s just a pec tear.

He certainly looked older/drawn/tighter in the skin.

But made Costa his bitch.

Very happy for Jan. Silent assassin.

[Duluth]

Here's the top 15 challengers at middleweight

Robert Whittaker
Paulo Costa
Jared Cannonier
Jack Hermansson
Yoel Romero
Darren Till
Derek Brunson
Kelvin Gastelum
Chris Weidman
Uriah Hall
Edmen Shahbazyan
Brad Tavares
Omari Akhmedov
Marvin Vettori
Ian Heinisch

He's likely facing the winner of Cannonier v Whittaker next (a high quality Till v Hermansson fight may change that)

Cannonier, Hermansson & Till are the ones I want to see him fight over the next 18 months

If he fights Whittaker again hopefully its post covid with crowds back. You could make a good argument for a ppv event in NZ for that one

[Kirwan]

Any fight highlights around?

[JK]

@Kirwan said in UFC:

Any fight highlights around?

[Kirwan]

@JK Thanks. I love watching the fighters that mug get knocked out.

[JK]

It was pretty awesome to watch.

Heading in to the fight I thought this would be a real challenge for Izzy but he's so fight smart. Very classy performance....a technical destruction if you will.

[JK]

@raznomore said in UFC:

Somethings brewing. Lots of chatter about Izzy right pec. I noticed during the ring intros that it looked weird. People are claiming it’s Gynecomastia.

I really hope it’s just a pec tear.

He got asked about it in the post fight press conference and just replied "why you looking at my titties?" and moved on

[Kirwan]

Even in those highlights you could see the moment where Costa goes "Oh Shit", his expression was hilarious.