UFC 261 - Apr 24th - 3 Title Fights

Zero-Cool

Cannot wait for this one. Let's go Rose!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBiQ2X9zS90

Homelander

It's gonna - or at least should be - an absolute belter of a card. Very excited for all 5 main card events.

Porthallian

Aaaand still x 3

Zero-Cool

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGZIwr7CsV8

derfderf

Porthallian wrote: »

Aaaand still x 3

Most likely. I'd give Rose the best chance of an upset purely because there's some MMA math there to back it up.

Mellor

derfderf wrote: »

Most likely. I'd give Rose the best chance of an upset purely because there's some MMA math there to back it up.

I’d agree Rose could sneak something.
But no idea what MMA Math your getting at?
Aware Zhang lose years ago. But might be hard to connect the dots to the UFC. But maybe

yourdeadwright

The 3 Champions will win with ease,

Usman will dominate Jorge , He took the fight as he knew it was an easy one

Zhang by Ko
Shevchemko by Ko

derfderf

Mellor wrote: »

I’d agree Rose could sneak something.
But no idea what MMA Math your getting at?
Aware Zhang lose years ago. But might be hard to connect the dots to the UFC. But maybe

It's approximated MMA math . Rose beat Joanna easier than Zhang did.

xtal191

Honestly think Rose will beat Zhang, Usman should beat Masvidal but I think it'll be closer than their first fight and Shevchenko will probably win every round

robwen

I'll have a few quid on Rose as the underdog, Zhang seems to leave herself open & takes a few hits & Rose has the hands

The Floyd p

Zhang v Namajunes holds the most intrigue for me. I fully expect Usman to beat Masvidal, and V. Shevchenko fights are often so eye wateringly boring that I can't get excited.

Rjd2

Can we bring back the press conferences without fans, those dudes this evening were so annoying "LETSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS GOOOOOOOOOOO" shut up please.

yourdeadwright

Its amazing how UFC can trick the average fan , Masvidal is no where near the top 5 welter weights and yet this is second title shot in a year after being beat quick easily in the firs tone,

Don't get me wrong he's a decent fight but that's about it ,

Homelander

I don't think anyone is being tricked, people just like Masvidal and enjoy watching him fight. They watch and pay based on that, not on any false perception that he's the best of the best in the WW division. I think it's perfectly understandable that he got the rematch, not only is he a very decent draw, there's also that whole short-notice aspect to the first fight.

Let Usman demolish him again and move on....or let Jorge get a lucky punch in. Either way I am personally fine with it and looking forward to the fight/event.

Beersmith

yourdeadwright wrote: »

Its amazing how UFC can trick the average fan , Masvidal is no where near the top 5 welter weights and yet this is second title shot in a year after being beat quick easily in the firs tone,

Don't get me wrong he's a decent fight but that's about it ,

No where near? He is for sure top 10, i would say top 5 myself.

yourdeadwright

Beersmith wrote: »

No where near? He is for sure top 10, i would say top 5 myself.

He has already lost to 3 guys in the top 10 Usman , Thompson & Mia ,


His only current top 10 win is Chiesa but that was 8 years ago at lightweight id fancy Chiesa now ,


I think also Colby, Burns , Edwards, also beat him


Jorge most impressive victory for me is Till , who shouldn't have been a welter weight ,

Beersmith

yourdeadwright wrote: »

He has already lost to 3 guys in the top 10 Usman , Thompson & Mia ,


His only current top 10 win is Chiesa but that was 8 years ago at lightweight id fancy Chiesa now ,


I think also Colby, Burns , Edwards, also beat him


Jorge most impressive victory for me is Till , who shouldn't have been a welter weight ,

Well look you are just going on records and fine. But you then just say his wins are questionable but his losses aren't. That is just plain BS.

I think Masvidal has been screwed over by many decisions and that is a widely held believe.

He is certainly top 10 and fair enough arguable top 5 but to state no where near top 5 is also BS

ASOT

Jorge looks in the shape of his life. Can't wait for this card.

Porthallian

Zero-Cool wrote: »

Cannot wait for this one. Let's go Rose!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBiQ2X9zS90

Am I the only one who thinks that outside the 3 title fights this card is a bit meh?

Obviously, considering there is 3 big fights you won't get a stacked undercard. But apart from Crute and Allen who I'm looking forward to seeing, it's a lot of virtually unknowns and journeymen IMO.

Of course, the relatively unknown fighters will have points to prove and could end up being some fantastic scraps. But I can't see me watching it all live tbh.

yourdeadwright

Can I just say from someone who mocked Jorge as a top 5 fighter only about 3 posts ago he is in some serious condition ,

Jesus fair play to the lad , looks like he really got the head down , seems far more muscular than before hopefully some strength helps him ,

It's funny because in the Kimbo back yard fights he was 19 and he looked ripped compared to his MMA days ,

I know having muscles means nothing in MMA , hopefully he has become stronger and a better athlete,

Big Ears

I know the UFC is an American organisation and primarily caters to that audience, but did anyone else feel that Weigh in show is overly Americanised ?

Everything from the format to the selected analysts and host comes across like the other nonsense ESPN throw in your face for basketball/American football etc.

Tbh I just found it very irritating, but perhaps I'm not the desired audience.

xtal191

I just looked at the weigh in from 251 out of curiosity, Masvidal looks almost identical at both weigh ins to me

yourdeadwright

xtal191 wrote: »

I just looked at the weigh in from 251 out of curiosity, Masvidal looks almost identical at both weigh ins to me

Have to disagree he looks in far better shape today ,

xtal191

I dunno I really don't see much of a difference at all

Homelander

I think it's more about the time he had to cut in. He had plenty time, this time around - before it was short notice and he had to go through a hard cut in a short period of time.

Will it make any difference? Who knows, we'll see.

MrStuffins

Imagine being Kamaru Usman, knowing that there is extremely little chance that you could ever come across anyone who could come close to you in a fight..........

But on the off chance you do, you've got Francis Ngannou over your shoulder holding your jocks for you :pac:

Sheering

Three title fights, but only one of them has a chance to be close in my opinion (Namajunas v. Zhang). Usman has shown he can handle Masvidal rather easily and he's probably just gotten better. Shevchenko is about the most dominating fighter going right now and Andrade won't have any size on her. That said, still looking forward to watching these.

mailburner

Porthallian wrote: »

Am I the only one who thinks that outside the 3 title fights this card is a bit meh?

Obviously, considering there is 3 big fights you won't get a stacked undercard. But apart from Crute and Allen who I'm looking forward to seeing, it's a lot of virtually unknowns and journeymen IMO.

Of course, the relatively unknown fighters will have points to prove and could end up being some fantastic scraps. But I can't see me watching it all live tbh.

It's hard to get excited about the early prelims alright

A few debutants but most new enough to the ufc

mailburner

Beersmith wrote: »

Well look you are just going on records and fine. But you then just say his wins are questionable but his losses aren't. That is just plain BS.

I think Masvidal has been screwed over by many decisions and that is a widely held believe.

He is certainly top 10 and fair enough arguable top 5 but to state no where near top 5 is also BS

It's hard to put masivdal outside the top five imo


could have been given that split against bendo also for the belt so since 2014
4 split dec losses, 1 ud v usman on short notice and the ud loss v wonderboy which is almost a given for anyone who stands with wb so the only time he's really been beaten decisively in 7 years


I don't think he'll ever beat usman, wb or even colby
outside of that I think he could beat burns and a fight with leon would
be very close imo

I do hope someday masvidal luque is made though, there'll be no dancing around the octagon if that ever happens, they'll take lumps out of each other

Chairman Meow

Ive never heard a prelim fight with this kind of crowd pop. Its great to hear again. What a first round!! This fight is insane

Where the early pre-lims on?

mdwexford

Think Smith and Hall will win.

Hard to see Valentina being pushed much. Possible decision though.

Rose beat Joanna easier than Weili but it’s still hard to see her being beaten. Could be an epic close fight though.

Hoping Masvidal has more to offer this time. I’d imagine Mike Brown has a plan and Masvidal will show more aggression this time. Usman is such a beast though. Will take a spectacular KO to beat him.

Looking forward to it all.

Chairman Meow

Deleted User wrote: »

Where the early pre-lims on?

on figt pass. Anyone see that molina fight?? holy ****!!! That 3rd round :eek:

RocketRaccoon

That Molina fight was incredible. 2 unbelievable fights so far tonight

JamieHP

That second fight was a war, starting off with a bang!!

AlmightyCushion

That was quick

mailburner

mailburner wrote: »

It's hard to get excited about the early prelims alright

A few debutants but most new enough to the ufc

:eek:

just incredible fights, main card will do well to be as good as the earlies

StringerBell

Couple of relatively tame affairs too tbf on the early pre lims, some quick/nice work there by Allen in that last one, I don't think I'll be staying up for the main card but looking forward to catching up tomorrow - same as everyone else really fully expecting 3 and stills with Thug Rose having the best chance of pulling off an upset because Zhang seems to enjoy a tear up and Rose is well capable of catching anyone but I think its tough to go against Zhang all things considered and I'd be surprised if theres a change of belt - I think Masvidal is a glorified journeyman tbh, pretty much always have and I don't see him having enough to trouble Usman because he is just a tank of a man and Andrade managing to get herself that match was the victory in itself, its a fight so obviously anything can happen but if I wake up tomorrow and she has beaten Shevchenko I will be astonished, safest of the 3 title fights for me.

AlmightyCushion

Never seen a one handed RNC before.

Yurt2

Looking forward to Zhang v Rose. Zhang has the potential to be a huge star - her fight with Joanna was one of the all-time greats.

mdwexford

Atmosphere is savage tonight!!!

Seeing a crowd back is class, gives a bit of hope things can get back to normal.

MrStuffins

Bruce giving it absolute socks. Incredible!

The crowd have been amazing. I expect a lot of "USA!" chants during this one. Normally I hate that rubbish but they can have it tonight :pac:

MrStuffins

Those ankle rolls are tough to watch.

Delighted for Smith. He's a cool mother*cker and I love seeing him do well. Seems a real cool guy and the incident of him confronting the guy who broke into his house is a story and a half!

Watching the angle roll again and again was deeply unpleasant there.

martyos121

Would be unfair not to mention that jab from Smith tonight, easily one of the best I’ve seen in MMA.

MrStuffins

martyos121 wrote: »

Would be unfair not to mention that jab from Smith tonight, easily one of the best I’ve seen in MMA.

Yeah, fair play to Crute. First thing he mentioned.

Horrible jab!

Batattackrat

Rally looking forward to this one

MrStuffins

Fancy Hall here.

Weidman was 13-0 World Champion and beating Luke Rockhold. Tried a weird spinning back elbow and since then is 2-5.

Has anyone else's career ever turned so much for the worst based on one seemingly innocuous moment?

martyos121

Think I’ll watch this one and leave the title fights for tomorrow, but having a full crowd back is just a totally different experience, great to see it. Hopefully that becomes the norm again very soon.

mdwexford

MrStuffins wrote: »

Fancy Hall here.

Weidman was 13-0 World Champion and beating Luke Rockhold. Tried a weird spinning back elbow and since then is 2-5.

Has anyone else's career ever turned so much for the worst based on one seemingly innocuous moment?

100%

Think Hall smokes Weidman here. He hasn’t been the same since the Romero and Rockhold hidings.

Have Hall to win and to win by KO/TKO to start 2 accumulators. Watch him lose. :pac: