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.
Bendo does seem enamored by the idea of a super-fight with GSP. Decision would be the most likely result in that bout, in Rush's favor of course.
Interesting if Smooth defeats Cowboy for a third time, does he get the next title shot and a third crack at Pettis (after RDA)? Does Bendo fight Khabib for a title eliminator, or perhaps another opponent while Nurmagomedov waits for his chance at the belt?
It's only "clear" when he beats the rest of the guys at the top of the division.
Dude got his 2nd fight with Aldo after beating Nik Lentz. Who hasn't beaten a top dog.
Mendes is great....but let's keep it real here.
It's pretty clear to me since Money tightened up his striking with Bang and started securing knockouts. All the TAM guys wrestle well, Chad's an explosive athlete, and his only two career losses are to the current and reigning 145 champ.
Speaks volumes when the king of featherweight calls Mendes "the prince of 145." The consensus is Chad took two rounds off Aldo in October in Brasil. Caused the most significant damage and danger I've seen to Jose in his 7 UFC title defenses.
Frankie had the benefit of fighting Aldo in Vegas. It's clear he won a round off Jose, and you can certainly argue two (I'm of that belief). But many educated MMA analysts and fans believe it was 49-46 in favor of Aldo.
i am a big fan of McGregor but this recent crazy media push is annoying and turning me off of McGregor.
Cowboy and Uriah Hall fighting today
I'm personally only annoyed if Conor doesn't back it up. He's done so against Diamond, Brandao, and Brimage. I don't think McGregor dispatches Siver within 2 minutes, more like within two rounds in my estimation.
Love watching Cerrone fight, but Bendo's my guy. I can never root against Smooth or NBK. Hoping we get another treat like the war in 2009 in WEC.
Hall really has no excuse to not finish Stallings. Late replacement, UFC newcomer, been finished 3 times in his career.
Book Edgar/Mendes. They both lost to Aldo in the last year or so. No one is chomping at the bit for a rematch with either.
Would love to see it if Conor wins tonight and gets Aldo next in a few months. Very similar fighters are Mendes and Frankie. No real holes in either of their games. Chad younger, Edgar more experienced. Frankie probably has the cardio and chin edge, but Mendes is likely the more explosive athlete with more KO power in his hands after all the work and training with Bang.