Lenas
Trump's Staff
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In no way did Khabib struggle against Al.Wow he's such a great Top Ten opponent? No we say Top Five, and this al laquinta didn't even make top 10, and Khabib still struggled w/ him.
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In no way did Khabib struggle against Al.Wow he's such a great Top Ten opponent? No we say Top Five, and this al laquinta didn't even make top 10, and Khabib still struggled w/ him.
Im sorry, but Khabib is almost devolving the UFC and MMA at large with the way he goes about winning fights. Bearfucking guys and ragdolling them here and there and just having complete top control the entire contest is impressive, but its not exciting, or compelling to the average viewer.
Its almost like we were experiencing the golden age of MMA during the time of Anderson Silva, GSP, Aldo and other elite guys who were knocking dudes out with high kicks, displaying high level BJJ techniques, world class striking and wrestling. It was like MMA was finally reaching its apex as all of the different disciplines were combining to produce something beautiful and engaging. Then it culminates with Conor McGregor who is predicting how he was going to knock guys out, and then doing it, destroying world class fighters in seconds, and most importantly, fighting with a very fan friendly style that made him a mega star.
Along comes Khabib, who is now the champion, having got there by reducing the cage into his personal wrestling mat where he just levels up the cauliflower level of his ears. Its like the Mongols rampaging across China, decimating thousands of years of culture, knowledge and growth while they impose their own version of society on the lands they conquer.
Thats why I kind of agree with Tony Furgeson and his comments about Khabibs performance. I mean you HAD to give him the belt, but fuck I hope this guy isnt the future unless he learns some kind of striking ability in order to maximize his earning potential because its boring as fuck what he has been doing. Its impressive,its just fucking dull.
The fans CANNOT see what khabib is doing in the ring, they have to HEAR it, they have to FEEL it.I mean, I think there can be a happy medium of both Khabib/fighters like him, and opponents who are trying to beat him/them. You are right when you talk about guys trying to adapt and nullify a certain style or technique in order to survive and win. Thats been the case from the dawn of the sport, when each fighter specialized in one area and match makers simply put one "style" against another like a mad scientist and the fans were happy to see the results. At some point though, it just became the same cycle, and the UFC realized that the "mixed" in MMA is the answer, and guys started training in all kinds of different disciplines in their quest to become real mixed martial artists.
So yes, trainers and fighters everywhere should be figuring out ways to try and prevent Khabib from deploying that same gameplan every fight, and force him out of his comfort zone. (whether it is incredible takedown defense, scramble or well timed knees, there has to be something more than pure strength or athleticism to stop this guy)
But on the other hand, I think its on Khabib to evolve himself. I get the argument that these guys are putting their bodies on the line and risking everything so they should just do whatever it takes to win, regardless of what the fans want. But that argument doesnt bode well for selling tickets and growing a fanbase. If Khabib wants to ever be a superstar, he himself is going to have to add some type of new element to his approach that provides some level of excitement for the viewer. I dont know what that entails exactly, as his striking still looks crude as fuck, but maybe he could really develop his arm strength and ground striking to go along with his elite wrestling so when he takes guys down he can look to pound their skull into the mat instead of simply maintaining top control and collecting points as the clock runs out.
So I think its a mixture of both of those things. Khabib needs to add different elements to his game to increase his brand power, fanbase and reputation for putting on a show, and opponents need to focus on how to punish Khabib for NOT doing precisley that, and turning him into a one dimensional fighter who is eventually exposed by someone who has what it takes to pull it off.
edit: Im not trying to say Khabib is bad for the sport and isnt worthy of watching or soemthing, I love the guy and think he is one of the greatest lightweights in MMA history, he has also been very impressive in some of his fights (Barboza fight) where you were just wowed by his incredible wrestling and ability to just dominate his opponent. It can be compelling, yes. But overall, if he continues to just do what he did to Iaquinta, no one is going to fucking care anymore.
But on the other hand, I think its on Khabib to evolve himself. I get the argument that these guys are putting their bodies on the line and risking everything so they should just do whatever it takes to win, regardless of what the fans want. But that argument doesnt bode well for selling tickets and growing a fanbase. If Khabib wants to ever be a superstar, he himself is going to have to add some type of new element to his approach that provides some level of excitement for the viewer. I dont know what that entails exactly, as his striking still looks crude as fuck, but maybe he could really develop his arm strength and ground striking to go along with his elite wrestling so when he takes guys down he can look to pound their skull into the mat instead of simply maintaining top control and collecting points as the clock runs out.
So I think its a mixture of both of those things. Khabib needs to add different elements to his game to increase his brand power, fanbase and reputation for putting on a show, and opponents need to focus on how to punish Khabib for NOT doing precisley that, and turning him into a one dimensional fighter who is eventually exposed by someone who has what it takes to pull it off.
The current top wrestlers (Stipe, DC, and Khabib) all don't seem to need to evolve themselves. .
***In other news, the UFC is looking a deal with NBC and ESPN splitting their investment and having fighters who belong to each brand exclusively outside of 6 PPV's a year and new weight classes for men at 165 and women at 105 to add more matches throughout the year. I wish they'd add a 225 lb. division, but I guess there isn't a lot of competition there right now that is world class enough warrant that.
middle heavyweight? UFC can't even retain the heavies, you just had shit mitrione vs. roy at bellator 194There are certain things I like and don't like. Goatface kind of shares the same sentiments as me No one is going to care about a women's 105 division. Shit they barely care now about the divisions in place. They haven't even established the 125 division.
What is the purpose of a men's division that is 5 lbs less than their welterweight division though? 5 lbs. Shit is stupid. Add a Middle Heavyweight division at 225 before you do that. The LW and WW divisions aren't ever going to be that stacked and really they aren't that stacked right now. The worse thing the UFC could do is add more titles and split shit like is being suggested. Cheaper UFC PPV's are cool, or not so many a year, but they are approaching this shit totally wrong if they go with that deal. It's like a Raw/Smackdown deal...c'mon.
middle heavyweight? UFC can't even retain the heavies, you just had shit mitrione vs. roy at bellator 194
and they lost cro crop to bellator cuz of that stupid doping slap.
and they JUST fucked over barnnet for TWO FUCKING YEARS, and he was CLEARED! and still NOT ALLOWED to fight in UFC cuz he didn't do the 6months of tests.
UFC treats their heavies dirty, and they're the most marketable ones, the goodie oldies.