All articles tagged with #fight analysis
Mario Bautista gave a strong performance against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 321, nearly securing a submission and scoring a knockdown, but ultimately lost by decision. He believes with some adjustments, he can beat top contenders and is open to future matchups, having received praise from UFC officials despite the loss.
Daniel Cormier discussed Magomed Ankalaev's injury before UFC 320, suggesting it may not have changed the outcome of his quick loss to Alex Pereira, who fought with high intensity and motivation. Despite Ankalaev's injury, Cormier believes Pereira's aggressive approach was the decisive factor, and highlights Pereira's potential superfight with Jon Jones as a significant future matchup.
Oscar De La Hoya criticized Canelo Alvarez's performance after his loss to Terence Crawford, praising Crawford's skills and questioning Canelo's legacy, while also criticizing UFC's Dana White over recent comments and the Muhammad Ali Revival Act.
UFC 319 was a memorable event highlighted by Khamzat Chimaev's dominance and unexpected performances like Lerone Murphy’s knockout, with discussions on potential challengers and standout moments across the card.
Dricus du Plessis believes Khamzat Chimaev's main concern before their UFC 319 fight is his stamina, as Chimaev has struggled with gas tank issues in three-round fights, which du Plessis thinks will affect his confidence in their five-round bout. Du Plessis also downplays size differences, emphasizing that skill and heart are more important than height or weight in fighting.
Ilia Topuria, known for his power and recent KO streak, is praised after surviving five rounds with durable fighter Josh Emmett, who is noted for having the best chin in UFC. Emmett's resilience in UFC Jacksonville highlights Topuria's dominance, with Topuria being recognized as a formidable opponent in the lightweight division.
Merab Dvalishvili's coach discusses his dominant victory over Sean O'Malley at UFC 316, highlighting Dvalishvili's relentless pressure, strategic grappling, and the psychological impact of a key takedown that contributed to O'Malley's defeat. The coach also suggests that Dvalishvili is capable of finishing fights via submissions and knockouts, and while a third fight with O'Malley is unlikely soon, future matchups at bantamweight are being considered.
UFC 316 featured two dominant title fights but overall lacked excitement, with most fights showcasing control and dominance rather than edge-of-your-seat action, resulting in a mixed review of the event's quality.
MMA Fighting's staff made predictions for who will be the UFC champions in each weight class by the end of 2024, with a mix of current titleholders and rising contenders expected to hold gold. Notable predictions include Khamzat Chimaev for middleweight, Shavkat Rakhmonov for welterweight, and Erin Blanchfield for women's flyweight. The article highlights the uncertainty and excitement in the sport, with staff members divided on many weight classes, reflecting the unpredictable nature of MMA competition.