The UFC/MMA Thread

[leonidas_alexandar]

That was beautiful to watch the way Zhang unleashed a combination of knees, elbows, right hand , left hand.

What an exciting fighter she is.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

It's for me always funny when the post fight interview takes longer than the actual fight. But that's the nature of an MMA fight.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Now for the big one next week UFC 242 in UAE. Khabib v Poirier.

So far UFC 241 remains the best card of the year - can this beat it? Except for the main card the other ones are not too particularly stacked. But Islam Makhachev vs Davi Ramos could be a good one too.

Also it has happened where no name fighters can burst through in these sort of cards.

Looking forward to UFC 242 cant wait for it.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Okay this is it - I am all ready for UFC 242 - lets begin with the prelims already.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

UFC debut for FARES ZIAM of France against DON MADGE in the very first fight of the day at Lightweight.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

The referee had to separate the two in the first round out of a clinch which was going nowhere.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Another separation by the referee in the 2nd round. To me it appears, Madge looks a bit more active. And then the take down comes for Madge. Now some opportunity for ground and pound - but the round ends right there after the take down.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

2nd take down for Madge in the 3rd round. I think Madge may have done enough to win this fight.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

There were some good kicks to the body by Madge.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Yes, as I thought Madge wins this fight by unanimous decision.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

The 2nd fight of the day at Middleweight is between -

OMARI AKHMEDOV vs ZAK CUMMINGS - Russia vs USA.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Nice inside leg kick by Akhmedov.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Beautiful double leg take down by Akhmedov.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Cummings taking a look at the clock - he landed a beautiful shot on Akhmedov earlier.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

It looks more or less even to me at this point.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Another takedown for Akhmedov.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Another fight going to 3 rounds - Omari Akhmedov wins not surprisingly so.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

3rd fight of the early prelims at Welterweight is between -

NORDINE TALEB - vs MUSLIM SALIKHOV.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Groin strike by Nordine. A break for Muslim.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Muslim has 5 minutes to recover but I doubt he will take that much time.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

What a knock out for Muslim. So beautiful to watch.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Taleb had no clue what hit him. He got up on his 2 feet wobbling - and he yelled "No".

Muslim wins.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Upcoming 4th fight in early prelims and the last fight of this stage is at Welterweight again -

BELAL MUHAMMAD vs TAKASHI SATO.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

First round for Belal in my books - left hand, body shots, takedown.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Oh wow, I just noticed Kamaru Usman in Sato's corner.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

That was a beautiful trip by Sato.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Belal still did good in that 2nd round though.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Belal submits Sato in the 3rd round. Belal's first submission.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Now moving on to the 2nd phase of the UFC 242.

The preliminary round.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

1st fight of the prelims is at Lightweight between -

OTTMAN AZAITAR (Morocco) vs TEEMU PACKALEN (Finland).

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Damn, Ottman raining blows on Teemu.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

OMG - what a massive , huge right hand- Teemu is literally floored. A scary thud could be heard when Teemu fell down.

Ottman still undefeated - and now he begins his first fight in UFC with a thumping win.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

The 2nd fight in the prelims is at Bantamweight -

LIANA JOJUA vs SARAH MORAS.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Oh wow Sarah Moras by TKO in the 3rd round. Jojua crestfallen.

I mean Sarah was beating up Jojua - referee had to stop it.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

The next fight is at Featherweight -

ZUBAIRA TUKHUGOV vs LERONE MURPHY of England who is making his UFC debut.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Tough initiation for Lerone in the UFC - Zubaira teaching some early lessons to the rookie.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Lerone attempted a kimura I think - but the round ended right there.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

The timing on that double leg takedown is awesome by Zubaira.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

That was a good takedown by Calderwood.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Calderwood has the advantage so far as far as the striking is concerned and with that takedown she probably had the upper hand in Round 2.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

That was a good fight.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Joanne Calderwood wins by a split decision. Damn she is talking about the heat in Abu Dhabi lol.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Now moving in to the Pay Per View territory in the US.

1st fight in the PPV - at Lightweight

MAIRBEK TAISUMOV vs CARLOS DIEGO FERREIRA.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Carlos did pick up quite well there in the 2nd round.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Good start for the Brazilian in the 3rd round.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Beautiful pressure by Carlos.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Damn, Taisumov is tired.

But Carlos still needs to be careful.

Man, Carlos hunting down Taisumov in the Octagon.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

A very expected win for Carlos.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

The next fight in the PPV is at Heavyweight -

CURTIS BLAYDES vs SHAMIL ABDURAKHIMOV

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

First blood for Curtis with the takedown.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

And another takedown within the first 2 minutes of the 1st round for Curtis.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

That was some heavy ground and pound by Curtis at the end of the 1st round.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

4 takedowns for Curtis in the 1st round.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Ahaha another takedown for Curtis in the first few seconds of the 2nd round

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Man, referee has some mercy on Shamil and stops the fight.

Total domination by Curtis from the beginning to the end.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

The next one is a big one -at Lightweight -

It's Khabib's friend from Dagestan ISLAM MAKACHEV vs DAVI RAMOS.

 

[KingKhanWC]

The next one is a big one -at Lightweight -

It's Khabib's friend from Dagestan ISLAM MAKACHEV vs DAVI RAMOS.

Interesting fight esp on the ground. Ramos might surprise him on the canvas so Islam needs to make sure he strikes well standing too.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Both of them playing the waiting game and looking to counter strike so for large parts of the 1st round - nothing really happened.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Poor first round, seems as if neither wants to hit the floor.

Islam needs to start attacking in the 2nd.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

No one has landed a significant strike yet.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Crowd booing and growing impatient lol.

Ramos just landed a nice jab.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

That's a big knee for Islam.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Islam should have the 2nd round.

 

[KingKhanWC]

3rd round will decide this so far poor contest.

Ramos could do this if he connects a few.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Okay, Islam wins this.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Islam pretty much dominated the 3rd round with that huge knee which floored Ramos and since that moment Islam continued the pressure.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Islam does the job in round 3, easy win overall.

I can see others going toe to toe with striking against him in the future, looks vunerable agaisnt anyone with power.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Official decision coming up and yes Islam wins by unanimous decision.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Pray tell why is this Felder vs Barboza the co-main event. I guess they could not find any other meaningful bout.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Islam does the job in round 3, easy win overall.

I can see others going toe to toe with striking against him in the future, looks vunerable agaisnt anyone with power.

By the way for you guys in the UK - do you get these events on cable or like us folks here do you have to fork out Pay Per View dollars?

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

It's the 2nd time Barboza and Felder are fighting.

But this can be an entertaining fight.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Damn, I still remember Khabib mauling Barboza back in the day.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Headbutt stoppage.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Felder's face is bloodied up.

 

[KingKhanWC]

By the way for you guys in the UK - do you get these events on cable or like us folks here do you have to fork out Pay Per View dollars?

BT sport pay per view box office. Not all UFC events are pay per view, most aren't.

Barboza is a tough dude but not as good as he used to be imo.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

BT sport pay per view box office. Not all UFC events are pay per view, most aren't.

Barboza is a tough dude but not as good as he used to be imo.

Sounds similar like here in the US - the fight night events are not PPV they are simply on cable.

Yep Barboza is no longer a legitimate lightweight contender - although he still is a very good fighter.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

This so far has been a very good fight.

 

[KingKhanWC]

This so far has been a very good fight.

Best of the night, a lot of variety but you will get that with Barboza.

Seems the arena is really only waiting for the big one, up next!

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

What? that is a surprising decision to me.


Felder did really well in the 3rd round - I think under the new rules in terms of the overall significant strikes - Felder must have pulled through.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

It's not a day light robbery by no means but I felt for Barboza.