2024 MMA General Discussion and Fight Announcements

[m9]

No way Gaethje was gonna fight anyone but Islam, too. Just sayin'.

I don't remember saying that recently, did I? I just wasn't convinced that Oliveira/Tsaryakan winner is guaranteed the next title shot

But I say alot of things that end up wrong, so who knows. But at this point with the hype it would be shocking to me if Belal is in the main event for 300. Putting that at 50% seems way off.

 

[pistolpete11]

I don't remember saying that recently, did I? I just wasn't convinced that Oliveira/Tsaryakan winner is guaranteed the next title shot

But I say alot of things that end up wrong, so who knows. But at this point with the hype it would be shocking to me if Belal is in the main event for 300. Putting that at 50% seems way off.

Well, yeah, it would be disappointing, but I've been expecting to be disappointed

I think they are trying to do something bigger and I think Izzy's the only real option to do that, but I have my doubts about both of those potential fights happening, so I'm 50-50. Whereas, I think both Leon and Belal would jump at it, so it's a definitely a real possibility and would be the option if Izzy falls through.

 

[m9]

Well, yeah, it would be disappointing, but I've been expecting to be disappointed

I think they are trying to do something bigger and I think Izzy's the only real option to do that, but I have my doubts about both of those potential fights happening, so I'm 50-50. Whereas, I think both Leon and Belal would jump at it, so it's a definitely a real possibility and would be the option if Izzy falls through.

I think the only scenario where Belal v Leon gets announced as the main event this week is if they term it as like a quadruple main event and add Leon/Belal, Shevchenko Grasso 3, and both of the other title fights. But Dana's leaked board with only one fight open at the top makes me think that's not going to happen. And so if that's not happening, no chance Leon/Belal is the main event. I'm not even convinced it's the main event over Gaethje/Max.

 

[MMC]

 

[MMC]

 

[m9]

One thing on Dana's leaked 300 board that was strange was how Garbrandt v Figgy was missing. Would they maybe have shifted that fight to headline UFC Atlantic CIty instead?

 

[Bunk Moreland]

One thing on Dana's leaked 300 board that was strange was how Garbrandt v Figgy was missing. Would they maybe have shifted that fight to headline UFC Atlantic CIty instead?

I wouldn't mind that as a co-main don't love it as a main event.. they're butchering this card. There are some good fights but they need two bigger fights to headline with it being one of two fight nights in front of a crowd.

Push Pyfer vs hermansson back pyfer is a Philly guy or move Allen vs vettori up a week pair it with fig vs Cody and I wouldn't mind it.

 

[m9]

I wouldn't mind that as a co-main don't love it as a main event.. they're butchering this card. There are some good fights but they need two bigger fights to headline with it being one of two fight nights in front of a crowd.

Push Pyfer vs hermansson back pyfer is a Philly guy or move Allen vs vettori up a week pair it with fig vs Cody and I wouldn't mind it.

I don't think they'll be adding two fights with Blanchfield/Fiorot already there and that fight is deserving of a co-main. Reyes/Ulberg & Weidman are fine main card fights. The card falls off a cliff after that, though.

 

[Moncherry]

I think it would be the biggest main event they could realistically do. I just wouldn't take it if I was Izzy.

Izzy doesn't strike me as the kind of person to back down from a challenge. Beating Pereira again for another title would probably be enough reward for him to put having the "last laugh" on the line.

 

[MMC]

I don't think they'll be adding two fights with Blanchfield/Fiorot already there and that fight is deserving of a co-main. Reyes/Ulberg & Weidman are fine main card fights. The card falls off a cliff after that, though.

Reyes pulled out of that fight, Ulberg is fighting Menifield now

 

[bov]

Dana is teasing the main event as something pretty special, I'd be surprised if it's Edwards vs Belal (although Leon did say awhile back his next defense would be at UFC 300).

The McGregor return at international fight week could be a bluff, so maybe he returns against Nate or Chandler at 300.

Could also see a Nunes comeback, or maybe an unexpected Colby appearance.

 

[BGDDYKWL]

The UFC 300 card is extremely deep, so I'm not complaining, but Conor/Diaz III does absolutely nothing for me. Does anyone actually care about that fight? Two guys who combined have one decent win in 7 years. Lol.

 

[CDJ]

I really like Talbott a lot. Interesting personality, fun fighter. I think he gets the finish late in round 2/round 3. He’s one of those guys that ramps up over time and I’ve seen Saaiman get reckless and tired

(Talbott posted this to his insta story so seems legit)

 

[MMC]

I really like Talbott a lot. Interesting personality, fun fighter. I think he gets the finish late in round 2/round 3. He’s one of those guys that ramps up over time and I’ve seen Saaiman get reckless and tired

(Talbott posted this to his insta story so seems legit

Don’t get the matchmaking here, wouldn’t think they’d want either to lose

 

[pistolpete11]

Dana is teasing the main event as something pretty special, I'd be surprised if it's Edwards vs Belal (although Leon did say awhile back his next defense would be at UFC 300).

The McGregor return at international fight week could be a bluff, so maybe he returns against Nate or Chandler at 300.

Could also see a Nunes comeback, or maybe an unexpected Colby appearance.

I really doubt Conor at UFC 300. It just doesn't make much business sense. UFC 300 even with a shitty main event is going to sell a lot of PPVs just on how deep it is. Conor is good for 1 million PPVs by himself. For example, UFC 300 with Leon/Belal + Conor on his own PPV is going to sell more than UFC 300 with Conor + Leon-Belal on their own PPV.

Nunes-Cyborg 2 would be pretty fun if you ask me, but I don't think it's the big main event that most people want either.

Who would be excited for Colby to headline especially after his last fight? Not to mention, who would he fight? Leon-Belal isn't exciting, but at least a belt is on the line.

 

[pistolpete11]

Izzy doesn't strike me as the kind of person to back down from a challenge. Beating Pereira again for another title would probably be enough reward for him to put having the "last laugh" on the line.

You're right that professional athletes, especially fighters, have a different mindset and view on what they are capable of.

However, I think Izzy thinks about his legacy more than most fighters. Fighting Pereira at 205 would be the ultimate risk/reward for him, but IMO it leans far too much into the risk. The size difference is massive. Pereira walks around 230. Izzy walks around at 200. That size difference was noticeable when they fought, but to get to 185, Pereira had to drain himself. To get to 205, he still has to cut, but it's a normal weight cut. He'd be stronger and more durable and that's on top of already being the same level of kickboxer as Izzy. Izzy tried wrestling him at 185 and failed, so he's not going to be able to do it up a weight class. Not saying Izzy can't win, but it's a really tough fight for him IMO. Say what you will about Izzy, but he's not stupid. I think he realizes that and wouldn't want to risk the 'last laugh', as you put it.

 

[m9]

Adesanya just isn't a 205er.

I really doubt Conor at UFC 300. It just doesn't make much business sense. UFC 300 even with a shitty main event is going to sell a lot of PPVs just on how deep it is. Conor is good for 1 million PPVs by himself. For example, UFC 300 with Leon/Belal + Conor on his own PPV is going to sell more than UFC 300 with Conor + Leon-Belal on their own PPV.

Agreed, it would have to be basically the UFC fine with willingly losing money to make a special event. Or if they thought a special card would provided future value with new or returning fans.

The part I'm not sure about is maybe people are overrating how this card sells with a weak main event. Depth doesn't sell that much to casuals. I'm not convinced this does 1 million buys with Leon/Belal added, the name value is pretty low.

 

[pistolpete11]

Agreed, it would have to be basically the UFC fine with willingly losing money to make a special event. Or if they thought a special card would provided future value with new or returning fans.

The part I'm not sure about is maybe people are overrating how this card sells with a weak main event. Depth doesn't sell that much to casuals. I'm not convinced this does 1 million buys with Leon/Belal added, the name value is pretty low.

I don't think it does 1M with Leon-Belal. I'd guess 700-800k, which is still really good.

 

[m9]

I don't think it does 1M with Leon-Belal. I'd guess 700-800k, which is still really good.

Yeah, I agree.

My guess would be:
Conor/Chandler - 1.5 million
Adesanya v DDP or Pereira - 1 million
Belal/Edwards - 700-800k

I do have some real questions about what level of draw Conor is right now and I wonder if the UFC does as well. His fight with Cerrone did 1.3 million and I think the Chandler fight does less than that on it's own card.

The UFC 300 card is extremely deep, so I'm not complaining, but Conor/Diaz III does absolutely nothing for me. Does anyone actually care about that fight? Two guys who combined have one decent win in 7 years. Lol.

I think it's a great fit as a UFC300 headliner since it's two big names with some history in a fight that you know will probably be good. I think ideally it's the kind of fight you want on a card like that.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

don't think they'll be adding two fights with Blanchfield/Fiorot already there and that fight is deserving of a co-main. Reyes/Ulberg & Weidman are fine main card fights. The card falls off a cliff after that, though.

I know lol I just want to justify making the 3 hour drive I was hoping for a deeper card.

Reyes pulled out of that fight, Ulberg is fighting Menifield now

Not gonna lie I was happy when this broke I like this fight better than the original

 

[pistolpete11]

Yeah, I agree.

My guess would be:
Conor/Chandler - 1.5 million
Adesanya v DDP or Pereira - 1 million
Belal/Edwards - 700-800k

I do have some real questions about what level of draw Conor is right now and I wonder if the UFC does as well. His fight with Cerrone did 1.3 million and I think the Chandler fight does less than that on it's own card.

Didn't both of the Poirier fights do 1.6M, though?

I don't know how much it really matters, though. Even if his drawing power is slipping, it's still by far and away the biggest in the UFC. So they are still going to treat it more or less the same IMO.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Poirier vs St Denis looks to be off...



Not sure what's going on.

 

[BGDDYKWL]

I think it's a great fit as a UFC300 headliner since it's two big names with some history in a fight that you know will probably be good. I think ideally it's the kind of fight you want on a card like that.

I can understand that from a name/draw perspective. Feels like a big fight that fits on top of the poster, but do people actually care about it? I get how that may be separate and irrelevant to the "Should/could it headline 300" discussion, but man that fight does not interest me in the least.

 

[BGDDYKWL]

Anyone catch Dan Hardy's comments about the current state of MMA/UFC, and the either lack of evolution or perhaps even temporary regression. I realize he didn't have the smoothest exit from the UFC, but he asked an interesting question. Is there one champion right now that you could/would argue is the greatest champion in that division's history?

 

[m9]

Anyone catch Dan Hardy's comments about the current state of MMA/UFC, and the either lack of evolution or perhaps even temporary regression. I realize he didn't have the smoothest exit from the UFC, but he asked an interesting question. Is there one champion right now that you could/would argue is the greatest champion in that division's history?

It's kind of a high bar to compare to the greatest of all-time in each division though, but it's true that the snapshot right now looks a bit weak. I do think Volk is the best 145lber of all-time though.