The MMA Thread: DON'T ASK 4 STREAMS & NO GIFS- UFC 300 ON NOW

[illphillip]

McGregor was SHOT in that interview. Didn't even seem himself.

 

[6 Rings G.O.A.T.]

Damn that interview.. :x

 

[champcruthik]

This whole thing they're doing making Aldo answer all these dumb questions from these drunken Boston idiots seems a little ridiculous

Subjecting the long time champ to this B.S.

Also this hostess is a ******* bimbo :x

Terrible media event on behalf of the UFC. I'd pipe Megan Olivi, but I'm not a fan in the slightest. She was laughing at dumb stuff and had no control as moderator.

I'm a bit shocked the UFC submitted Aldo to this poor treatment. It's well-documented I'm not a Jose supporter by any margin. I'm assuming the organization flew him in from Brasil for PR duties, building the Conor fight in Dublin assuming McGregor gets past Siver.

Yet another issue I have. Aldo is champ. If not Brasil, the fight should be in the States like Vegas. Not Ireland, despite the money grab.

How do you not screen questions? The trolls with beers in their hands were extremely biased and lacked overall class.

Questions about jumping to 155, fighting Barao, defending against Conor. I get. The shining the belt stuff I can do without.

 

[anthonyxpark]

Didn't read all the posts but let's not forget that in his previous fight with Thiago Santos, he broke his toe in the 1st round and hung it out. So I would say that he does have heart but that killer instinct has yet to come into fruition. 

 

[champcruthik]

Didn't read all the posts but let's not forget that in his previous fight with Thiago Santos, he broke his toe in the 1st round and hung it out. So I would say that he does have heart but that killer instinct has yet to come into fruition. 

Gastelum fight aside, Uriah Hall had no business losing to John Howard. Hall's too nice a guy. Seemingly overly laid-back, instead of attacking for the jugular. He has the potential and skill-set to be a top-10 MW with increased aggression.

 

[spiderjericho]

Like if I was Megan, I would've trolled the fans and asked them to come to the stage and ask the questions face-to-face to see if they're still as brazen.

The "Company" isn't really showing any respect toward Aldo. The dude has been the best featherweight for the last six years. He's not known for crack-laced partying, rehashing Billy Graham or Mohammed Ali promos, etc.

And CCT, you're right. Why would the champ go to the homeland of the challenger? I get the UFC's motivations, globalization of their brand, capitalizing on a hungry MMA market, etc.

Mind you, Jose, along with his team mate, have been complaining about his pay and now he's getting whored out.

 

[champcruthik]

Why Jose Aldo Has Earned My Respect Through the Conor McGregor Situation:
He's publicly ready and willing to fight the man, win or lose against Siver. I firmly believe Aldo would beat Conor in 2015, by wide decision and perhaps even finish.

Aldo understands the business. He knows McGregor's brash talk and hype is largely good for the sport. The Boston card is going to sell great by all accounts. Conor greats exposure for himself, but also his opponent and sometimes the rest of the card. A casual fan may stick around to watch Bendo/Cowboy leading up to tonight's main event. Good for the sport.

Jose also understands this side of the business. Although he is champion and a fight with Conor should take place in the States (Vegas) if not Brasil, Aldo gets that money talks and a title bout in a Dublin soccer stadium would be cream of the crop financially. McGregor is a monster draw in his homeland and the money would be unprecedented. Jose Aldo seems prepared and ready to embrace a trip into hostile waters behind enemy lines, all to defend his 145 strap as king of the division.

He endured the Q&A session with grace despite the trolls, chant, and attempts to get under his skin. Took everything in stride as unfair as the situation seemed. Flying the featherweight champion from his Brasilian home to cold and wet Boston, Massachusetts. All to have the moderator, Megan Olivi, lack control and direction in the session.

The way he controls his emotions is indicative of a true champion. Unfazed by Conor's trash talk or shining the belt taunts. That was McGregor's largest advantage against "Diamond." He got into Poirier's head. Dustin was actually having a good first round with leg kicks, which would have impacted Conor's movement later in the fight (deeper rounds), but "Diamond" was too blinded by rage to see the process through. Aldo is maintaining his composure and very business-like.

He's very clear about his intent. Not to fight Barao as close teammates, with legitimate opposition at their respective divisions of 135 and 145. He's also not immediately eyeing Pettis at 155, which we all want to see eventually.

 

[phillyzphan]

Read something yesterday with Dana saying that any title fight between Aldo and McGregor will be in Vegas not Ireland. McGregor supposedly isn't happy about the talk cause he was promised he'd get the fight in Ireland.

Leads me to believe that Aldo/McGregor probably happens Memorial Day weekend or 4th of July weekend. This way the card would have another title fight and other popular fighters on it to help carry it. Except for in Brazil, Ireland, and even Boston with its huge Irish population, I'm not sure that a Aldo/McGregor card necessarily sells on that Jones/DC level that UFC is expecting.

 

[illphillip]

I wouldn't have minded seeing Aldo wash him in Ireland.

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

Oh so now you guys have a problem with the fight being in Ireland 

Remember when I was saying this exact thing and all you guys were like "what's the big deal? It doesn't matter where a fight is"

Also, they're putting the fight on tonight so they can grab all the viewers from the football game, well, at least that's their plan

Last thing, that moderator chick is actually Benavidez' wife to be.. 

 

[phillyzphan]

I think that would've been perfect if the fights were on Fox and not FS1. Plus the late game is on CBS and I don't see them having promos for it. The biggest winner is probably gonna be that Scorpion show thats on right after the game.

 

[champcruthik]

Last thing, that moderator chick is actually Benavidez' wife to be.. 

View media item 1358411

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

Yeah it's a risk. Also a huge risk by them having the ******* fight in Boston when the Patriots are playing a home game minutes away 

I'm sure they had to be thinking this would have been a possibility when they were planning venues, they're lucky the show got sold out. I guess Irish fans flew out?

 

[phillyzphan]

In the same story/video floating around with Dana saying Aldo/McGregor will be in Vegas I think he says about 12% are people from Ireland that flew in. The rest are from Boston I guess which is predominantly Irish. So it'll be like 90% Irish in there. I'm surprised they didn't drag Marcus Davis out to fight on this card too.

I don't have a problem with cards on Sunday. Just this Sunday seems like a **** up. After football is done, 8-11PM time slot on Sunday is wide open and they could do really well on those days ratings wise, especially if they could have Fox bump the Simpsons and Family Guy a few Sundays and have shows on Fox.

 

[champcruthik]

I'm almost certain Paddy taps Howell with a RNC.

Pendred likely decisions Spencer, 29-28 by my estimation.

Parke is going to win, no surprise here but I doubt he submits Tibau and I'm not sure he'll get KO'ed either. For that reason I'll go Stormin' Norman, 30-27.

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

I really didn't realize how much bigger Conor is than most of the division outside of Aldo. Both these guys kill themselves to make 145 

 

Interesting to note that I don't think Norman and Conor get along

 

[shogun]

I wouldn't have minded seeing Aldo wash him in Ireland.

That would've been great.

 

[champcruthik]

I really didn't realize how much bigger Conor is than most of the division outside of Aldo. Both these guys kill themselves to make 145   

Interesting to note that I don't think Norman and Conor get along

That's what surprised me most about Aldo's Boston Q&A session. He has no urgency or immediate plans to jump to lightweight. Yet there's little left to accomplish at 145 for him. Obviously Conor is a significant payday if he gets past Siver, wherever the fight takes place. Rematch with Frankie after that in the later portion of 2015? Defeated Mendes twice, who is the clear #2 at featherweight after Jose. Took care of "Bully" Lamas. Beat Cub in WEC.

Aldo has clear knowledge his close friend and training teammate Renan Barao has difficulty making 135. They've both expressed their desire to not fight each other, for reasons I respect. Jose is essentially handcuffing Barao to bantamweight knowing he's destroying his body to make weight, as evidenced in the initially scheduled Dillashaw rematch. On top of that, Barao could very well lose in Montreal in April to T.J. Although I want to pick Barao if not for the severe weight cuts.

Also, there's money to be made at 155. A showdown with Pettis would draw huge interest. Could sell in Brasil, the Midwest, or Vegas. Additionally I'd very much enjoy Aldo against Bendo or Cowboy. Eddie or Khabib. The list goes on. Perhaps Jury and Khabilov in the near future.

Point being Aldo has cleaned out the 145 division. After Conor, there's nothing left to accomplish at featherweight.

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

I would say if Aldo can get by Frankie again, and Conor, there really wouldn't be anything left at 145

I didn't think about the fact that Barao is basically trapped at 135. Aldo at 155 would be pretty epic, that division is already the best the UFC has

 

[shogun]

I guess when you're the king of the division, you would be in no rush to go to another weight class.

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

Unless his weight cuts get too difficult

Benson Henderson said something interesting about weight cuts because he wants to fight at 170

That change has not been decided yet, though. Henderson, 31, admits he comes from an old-school wrestling background where you try to cut as much weight as you possibly can so you can be bigger and stronger than your opponent. But there are reasons to believe that isn't always the best thing.

"The new school of thought is wrestle at your natural weight, fight at your natural weight," Henderson said. "It'll be an easier time. You don't have to worry cutting weight. You won't get tired. You'll be a little bit quicker, you'll be faster and [have] a little bit better agility against bigger opponents. We'll see. There's pros and cons to both."

 

[QU!K]

I wanna see Conor at 155 if things don't work out for him at 145. He used to be champ in both although at a much less competitive level.

 

[champcruthik]

I guess when you're the king of the division, you would be in no rush to go to another weight class.

Just thought these 4 reasons would serve as enough motivation: Freeing Barao's jump to 145, money, chasing P4P greatness (in the footsteps of Bones, Spider, GSP), and avoiding the 145 weight cut for good.

Unless his weight cuts get too difficult

Benson Henderson said something interesting about weight cuts because he wants to fight at 170

That change has not been decided yet, though. Henderson, 31, admits he comes from an old-school wrestling background where you try to cut as much weight as you possibly can so you can be bigger and stronger than your opponent. But there are reasons to believe that isn't always the best thing.

"The new school of thought is wrestle at your natural weight, fight at your natural weight," Henderson said. "It'll be an easier time. You don't have to worry cutting weight. You won't get tired. You'll be a little bit quicker, you'll be faster and [have] a little bit better agility against bigger opponents. We'll see. There's pros and cons to both."

RDA KO loss changed the whole complexion of Bendo's 155 outlook. Really depends how far a third Cowboy win would catapult Smooth into title contention. Is he next after RDA, does he have to fight Khabib next? Anything longer than that, I believe Bendo jumps to 170. Not sure it's his best career move. An abundance of heavy-hitters at welterweight looming.

I wanna see Conor at 155 if things don't work out for him at 145. He used to be champ in both although at a much less competitive level.

Could very well see Conor "dispatch" Siver in R2, lose to Aldo, then jump to 155.

 

[phillyzphan]

I think the losses to Pettis and RDA might have changed Benson's mind about moving to 170 lbs. Before losing to Pettis he was talking about wanting a super fight with GSP at 170 lbs and if he won he would stay there. Then even after the Pettis fight there was talk about the RDA fight being his last at 155 before moving up. 

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

Watching UFC Insider now that was on FS1, they showed footage of Cain cheering for DC during the fight, I was shocked the PPV broadcast didn't show Cain at all

I fully expect Cain and Jones to face off some day, hopefully soon. I have to imagine Cain heard what Jones said about him. Have to assume Cain wants to avenge the loss