GDT: UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway

[I am not exposed]

Lots of keyboard warriors criticizing him for tapping too early.

That's ridiculous. If Whittaker taps quick then you know it is serious.

 

[Moncherry]

That's ridiculous. If Whittaker taps quick then you know it is serious.

But it wasn't even under the chin bro

 

[1specter]

I know Pereira will probably win fighter of the year, but Topuria should be a contender as he finished both Volk and Max (two of the best featherweights of all time) in the same year.

KOing those two back to back has to be up there for most impressive title capturing and initial title defense on a resume.

 

[bov]

He has that prime McGregor quality where he's got supreme confidence and can back it up. Except, he's also potentially better and definitely more well rounded than Conor ever was.

He really does, the self-belief is for real. Some guys hype themselves up or "manufacture" confidence but you can tell that Topuria is all-in. I'd argue it's even more authentic than Conor's.

I'm not a huge fan of it but the guy walks the walk and has the decency to show respect to the legends after a career-defining KO, I have to tip my cap.

 

[Davimir Tarablad]

But it wasn't even under the chin bro

Rob’s jaw is utterly demolished, that’s why he tapped

 

[Moncherry]

Rob’s jaw is utterly demolished, that’s why he tapped

I know that.

 

[MMC]

If I were Max I’d just move to 155

 

[Matty Sundin]

Don’t like Khamzat but his grappling is just like Khabib but at full throttle. I’ve never seen someone grapple at that pace before and be so good.

 

[Taytro]

Rob’s jaw is utterly demolished, that’s why he tapped

I don't want to speak for @Moncherry ... But that was sarcasm.

 

[Davimir Tarablad]

I know that.

I don't want to speak for @Moncherry ... But that was sarcasm.

Yea, figured it was sarcasm as soon as I re-read it. It’s what I get for trying to pay attention to a hockey game and mma at the same time.

 

[pistolpete11]

Tough night (day) for 2 of my favorites.

Fight was going kind of how I thought it would. Really competitive. Topuria more power and Max more active. Then...Topuria found that shot. I think that first big shot he landed was the most we've seen Max hurt in a fight. He's been rocked by Poirier for example, but he retreated and recovered enough to defend. I don't think he was really there between that first shot and the one that dropped him. Seemed to me like he was just kinda grabbing at him without any real intent and it left him exposed. We all knew it was going to happen eventually and it did. Really impressive from Topuria, though. Can't imagine Volk beating him and looking down the line...I don't see much challenge at 145.

Holy smokes. Bobby Knuckles got absolutely worked. The takedown was too easy. He defended for a while, but it was one way traffic. Rather quick tap, too. Bobby is well rounded, but he's definitely not the best grappler. I think that's why Burns and Usman had more success. Burns especially could threaten from the ground and Usman's better defending the takedowns. Not at all surprised Chimaev won, but I never thought he'd make it look that easy.

Ankalaev deserves the shot. Just give it to him. I'm not sure he's dynamic enough to beat Pereira, but he deserves the shot.

 

[Sheppy]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1850262677676769687

This guy needs to stop. He’s got that Julianna Pena energy.

 

[Taytro]

If I were Max I’d just move to 155

I don't think he has a chance vs Islam and I think he knows that. He has a better chance vs Topuria, he was looking good until he wasn't. I don't think he'd have any moments of looking good vs Islam. Max is very prideful and sees 145 as where he belongs and his division so there's no doubt he will try to earn another 145 title shot eventually regardless of who it's against.

I can see a lot of talent challenging Topuria that Max could beat. Arnold Allen stands out as one who is right there (after Evloev and Lopes), Max beat Allen but I can see Allen having a few reasonable chance vs Topuria. Then the conversation is right back to Max. So he'll probably stick around at 145 since there's many paths back back to the belt for him over time. He's still young.

 

[Taytro]

This guy needs to stop. He’s got that Julianna Pena energy.

And it got Julianna Pena her title shot where she fell backwards into a championship. If the outcome is similar to Pena's then Hill would be thrilled.

 

[bov]

Max should stick to money fights at this point, climbing the ladder at any of those weight classes is just too much for him to handle these days. No interest in seeing him try to go through up & coming killers. Him against Chandler, Conor or even Oliveira for the BMF would be fun. Not so much interest in the Gaethje / Poirier rematches. Hooker is out there too I guess.

 

[I am not exposed]

I don't think he has a chance vs Islam and I think he knows that. He has a better chance vs Topuria, he was looking good until he wasn't. I don't think he'd have any moments of looking good vs Islam. Max is very prideful and sees 145 as where he belongs and his division so there's no doubt he will try to earn another 145 title shot eventually regardless of who it's against.

I can see a lot of talent challenging Topuria that Max could beat. Arnold Allen stands out as one who is right there (after Evloev and Lopes), Max beat Allen but I can see Allen having a few reasonable chance vs Topuria. Then the conversation is right back to Max. So he'll probably stick around at 145 since there's many paths back back to the belt for him over time. He's still young.

In the interview Max pondered 155, but it sounded more like doing fun fights, than actually fighting for the title straight away.

And he implied he wasn't keen on clearing out the 145 decision yet again for next however many years to get another crack at 145.

He seemed kind of done with 145.

But that was after the fight, so maybe after a few days/weeks whatever he will have a change of mind.

 

[Taytro]

In the interview Max pondered 155, but it sounded more like doing fun fights, than actually fighting for the title straight away.

And he implied he wasn't keen on clearing out the 145 decision yet again for next however many years to get another crack at 145.

He seemed kind of done with 145.

But that was after the fight, so maybe after a few days/weeks whatever he will have a change of mind.

I hope he sticks to that. Chandler, McGregor, Poirier, etc. There's plenty of fun co-main style fights for Max out there, especially if he's defending the BMF.

 

[CDJ]

Chimaev has an absurd squeeze, Holland’s eyes were blood shot after fighting him too. We may be talking about the craziest squeeze in ufc history, he literally caved Whittakers jaw in within a couple seconds

Give me Khamzat vs DDP and Ankalaev vs Pereira

And Holloway vs a big name 155er (maybe Chandler)