KOMPAS.com - Juara bertahan kelas ringan UFC , Khabib Nurmagomedov , akan melakukan comeback ke octagon pada partai UFC 242 di Abu Dhabi, Uni Emirat Arab, pada Sabtu (7/9/2019).
Khabib Nurmagomedov akan menghadapi juara interim, Dustin Poirier , pada laga unifikasi gelar kelas ringan.
Duel ini bakal menjadi pertarungan perdana Khabib Nurmagomedov sejak mengalahkan Conor McGregor untuk memperebutkan gelar juara kelas ringan pada UFC 229, 6 Oktober 2018.
Nurmagomedov lalu mendapat hukuman larangan bertanding selama sembilan bulan dari UFC akibat kericuhan yang terjadi pada pertandingan itu.
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Sementara petarung asal Dagestan itu menjalani hukuman, UFC mengeluarkan titel juara sementara untuk diperebutkan pada ajang UFC 236.
Dustin Poirier keluar sebagai pemenang atas lawannya, Max Holloway.
Berikut adalah beberapa fakta menarik seputar duel tersebut:
Mengikuti Tren Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Conor McGregor
Laporan Yahoo! Sports mengindikasikan kalau duel UFC 242 bisa menyaingi popularitas laga Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Conor McGregor pada UFC 229, salah satu event terlaris sepanjang sejarah UFC.
Ketika itu, 2 juta orang membeli tiket pay-per-view untuk bisa menonton duel.
Yahoo! Sports mengklaim kalau "laporan awal di situs UFC dan akun-akun media sosial mereka mengindikasikan kalau ajang UFC 242 memiliki tingkat keminatan yang sangat mirip dengan UFC 229."
UFC juga mengunggah ulang 5 laga-laga Khabib dan Poirier untuk semakin menggalang semangat para fans.
Salah satu yang mereka unggah adalah duel UFC 229 saat Khabib mengalahkan Conor McGregor.
Video itu sudah disaksikan lebih dari 10 juta kali hingga Jumat (6/9/2019) malam WIB walau diunggah kurang dari seminggu sebelumnya.
Ada beberapa statistik menarik seputar duel keduanya.
27 - Rentetan 27 kemenangan Khabib Nurmagomedov adalah yang terpanjang dari semua petarung UFC aktif.
11 - Khabib Nurmagomedov adalah satu dari hanya tiga petarung sepanjang sejarah UFC yang mencatatkan 11 kemenangan beruntun pada start kariernya bersama organisasi tersebut. Dua petarung lainnya dengan catatan serupa adalah Anderson Silva dan Royce Gracie.
2 - Khabib Nurmagomedov adalah satu dari dua juara kelahiran Rusia sepanjang sejarah UFC. Mantan juara kelas berat, Andrei Arlovski, adalah yang pertama.
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17 - Jumlah 17 kemenangan Dustin Poirier di UFC sejak 2011 setara dengan Max Holloway dan kedua terbanyak di organisasi tersebut setelah Donald Cerrone (23).
22 - Dustin Poirier memenangkan gelar UFC pada penampilan ke-22 di octagon, terbanyak kedua dari seorang juara di organisasi tersebut setelah Michael Bisping (26).
Khabib Nurmagomedov adalah Musuh Bagi Dirinya Sendiri
Pengamat UFC dari ESPN, Chael Sonnen, mengatakan kalau Khabib Nurmagomedov dan para fans UFC tak boleh meremehkan Dustin Poirier.
Ia mengatakan bahwa tak ada petarung yang tidak terkalahkan di dunia Mixed Martial Arts.
Sonnen memakai contoh Mike Tyson, Georges St-Pierre, dan Anderson Silva, petarung-petarung yang lambat laun tumbang walau sebelumya tak terkalahkan.
Apalagi, Khabib absen hampir sepanjang 2019 setelah menjalani skorsing sembilan bulan karena kericuhan yang terjadi pada akhir UFC 229 kontra Conor McGregor.
"Ia telah lama absen," ujar Sonnen seperti dikutip dari Bloodyelbow.com. "Bagi Khabib, hal ini karena skorsing. Bagi orang-orang lain, alasannya cedera atau permasalahan kontrak."
Bagi Sonnen, petarung lain akan diragukan ketajaman dan kegarangannya setelah lama keluar dari Octagon.
"Akan tetapi, untuk suatu alasan Khabib telah mencuri hati dan pikiran para fans sehingga mencapai titik di mana dialog tersebut tak muncul sama sekali. Ibaratnya, orang ini kebal peluru padahal kita melihat banyak contoh yang mengatakan sebaliknya," tuturnya.
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"Saya bisa memberi Anda Mike Tyson, malam ketika George St-Pierre terjauh, Anderson Silva. Tak ada yang anti peluru di dunia ini," lanjutnya.
Sonnen mengaku tak paham kenapa Khabib akan berbeda dari nama-nama tadi.
Ia juga mencontohkan bagaimana pamor sang petarung juga membuat Khabib dapat posisi politik di negara asalnya di Dagestan.
Belum lagi, Sonnen mengkritik pemilihan tempat latihan Khabib di American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) milik Javier Mendez yang terletak di San Jose, California.
"Ia sekarang 'Mister Famous', berlatih di AKA dengan Javier Mendez tetapi tinggal di Dagestan, perjalanan 21 jam dengan pesawat," tuturnya lagi.
"Saya pikir ini pertanyaan-pertanyaan valid. Berapa banyak latihan konsisten yang bisa ia lakukan dengan beratnya perjalanan udara, jadwal dengan media, 'teman-teman' barunya di dunia politik?" katanya lagi.
UFC 242 akan berlangsung di The Arena, Abu Dhabi, Uni Emirat Arab, pada Sabtu (7/9/2019) malam waktu setempat atau Minggu dini hari WIB.
Duel UFC 242: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Dustin Poirier akan disiarkan secara langsung pada Minggu (8/9/2019) pukul 01:00 WIB di saluran berbayar Fox Sports 1.
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Early Preliminary Card (Mulai Sabtu pukul 21:00 WIB)
*Jadwal di atas masih dapat berubah menyesuaikan kondisi termutakhir.
Khabib mengalahkan McGregor di ronde empat UFC 229. (REUTERS/Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports) Khabib mengalahkan McGregor di ronde empat UFC 229. (REUTERS/Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia -- Pihak UFC menjadikan video cuplikan kerusuhan229melawansebagai bahan promosi jelang Khabib menghadapi Dustin Poirier.Pertarungan UFC 242 antaraakan digelar di Pulau Yas Abu Dhabi pada Sabtu (7/9) malam waktu setempat.Dipercaya demi mendongkrak jumlah penonton, UFC justru menjadikan video kerusuhan usai Khabib vs McGregor disebagai promosi.Padahal, insiden tersebut dinilai sebagai preseden terburuk di ajang UFC. Buntut dari kerusuhan itu pun hukuman bagi Khabib dan McGregor oleh Komite Atletik Nevada (NSAC) yang menaungi ajang kompetisi bela diri.Khabib pernah dihukum larangan bertanding selama sembilan bulan per Oktober 2018 dan denda US$500 ribu. Sementara McGregor hanya mendapat sanksi enam bulan dan denda US$50 ribu.Kerusuhan pecah usai Khabib melawan McGregor pada ronde empat di T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, pada 6 Oktober 2018. Setelah mengalahkan McGregor melalui kuncian, Khabib langsung menaiki pagar oktagon dan melompat ke luar untuk menyerang rekan petarung Irlandia tersebut, Dillon Danis.Khabib merasa perlu menghajar Danis karena telah menghina ayah dan agamanya saat pertarungan dengan McGregor berlangsung.Sejumlah video tentang kerusuhan usai UFC 229 itu pun banyak beredar di media sosial. Namun, kualitas dan sudut pandang video-video tersebut pun tak begitu baik karena kebanyakan merupakan hasil rekaman video amatir.Belakangan, UFC merilis video perkelahian tersebut yang dinilai lebih detail dan eksklusif. Bahkan seperti dilansir dari BJPENN ekspresi McGregor dan Khabib terlihat jelas ketika kerusuhan berlangsung.Ekspresi tersebut termasuk ketika Khabib tampak menggila dan langsung diamankan sejumlah petugas keamanan. Video tersebut diyakini berasal dari kamera pihak UFC yang sengaja disimpan dan baru disebarluaskan untuk promosi Khabib vs Poirier."Rekaman ketika Khabib melompat [dari oktagon] ke kerumunan dari angle samping tak pernah ada yang menayangkan sebelumnya. Itu pasti diambil dari salah satu kamera khusus UFC yang merekam pertarungan tersebut," tulis salah satu pengamat MMA dari Reddit, dikutip dari BJPENN Jelang laga Khabib vs Poirier, UFC dikabarkan mulai membuka peluang rematch Khabib vs McGregor. Namun, Khabib masih enggan menerima tawaran tersebut.
Conor McGregor jadi lawan terakhir Khabib Nurmagomedov di UFC. (REUTERS/Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports) Conor McGregor jadi lawan terakhir Khabib Nurmagomedov di UFC. (REUTERS/Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia -- Jadwal pertarunganpadadi Stadion The Arena, Abu Dhabi, akan berlangsung pada Minggu (8/9) dini hari WIB.Hampir satu tahun usai mengalahkan Conor McGregor, Khabib kembali naik oktagon dengan melawan Poirier. Pertarungan di Abu Dhabi merupakan unifikasi gelar juara dunia kelas ringan UFC.Khabib vs Poirier termasuk pertarungan main card yang melibatkan lima pertarungan, termasuk Edson Barboza vs Paul Felder dan Islam Makhachev vs Davi Ramos, Curtis Blaydes vs Shamil Abdurakhimov dan Mairbek Taisumov vs Carlos Diego Ferreira.Jadwal main card yang melibatkan Khabib vs Poirier sebagai pertarungan terakhir akan dimulai pukul 01.00 WIB pada Minggu (8/9) dini hari.Pertarungan melawan Poirier merupakan aksi ke-12 Khabib di ajang UFC. Petarung asal Rusia itu selalu meraih kemenangan di 11 pertarungan sebelumnya di UFC.Jelang pertarungan melawan Poirier, Khabib mengaku tidak pernah merasakan sambutan luar biasa dari penggemar seperti di Abu Dhabi. Kondisi itu membuat petarung 30 tahun itu semakin bersemangat jelang menghadapi Poirier."Ketika saya bertarung dalam 11 pertarungan sebelumnya, saya tidak pernah merasa dukungan segila ini dari fan di arena. Namun saat ini, saya merasakan banyak sekali orang yang mendukung saya. Saya sangat antusias tentang pertarungan ini karena saya ingin merasakan dapat banyak dukungan," ujar Khabib dikutip dari The National.Poirier sendiri menjadi juara dunia kelas ringan UFC interim setelah berhasil mengalahkan Max Holloway pada 13 April 2019.Minggu 8 September 2019 / Mulai pukul 01.00 WIB
Khabib Nurmagomedov dan Dustin Poirier akan bertarung pada UFC 242 di Abu Dhabi untuk menentukan 'Raja Kelas Ringan' UFC yang sesungguhnya. Dua petarung beda gaya akan bertemu dan pertarungan akan berlangsung panas.
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia -- Petarung seni bela diri campuran (MMA) asal Rusia, Khabib Nurmagomedov , menilai petarung Amerika Serikat Dustin Poirier lebih baik dari Conor McGregor asal Irlandia. Khabib melihat Poirier sebagai seorang penantang yang lebih tangguh dari McGregor. Itu sebabnya, Khabib meluangkan banyak waktu dan usaha dalam pemusatan latihan untuk mempersiapkan pertarungan lawan Poirier dalam UFC 242 di Abu Dhabi pada 7 September 2019. "Saya pikir mungkin saat ini Dustin adalah seorang petarung MMA yang lebih lengkap dibandingkan dia [McGregor]. Hal ini karena dia [Poirier] mengalahkan banyak petarung dalam divisi kelas ringan, dan saya tidak ingat kapan Conor memenangkan divisi kelas ringan," ujar Khabib seperti yang dikutip dari MMA Fighting. "Saya pikir dia [McGregor] hanya mengalahkan [Eddie] Alvarez dan dia hanya memiliki satu kemenangan dalam diivisi kelas ringan setelah sekian lama, sangat lama. Itulah alasan saya berpikir Dustin Poirier adalah seorang petarung yang jauh lebih baik dari dia [McGregor]," tuturnya. McGregor kerap terlibat perang urat syaraf dengan Khabib. (Steve Marcus/Getty Images/AFP) McGregor mengalahkan Alvarez dengan pukulan yang berujung kemenangan TKO dalam UFC 205 di New York pada 12 November 2016. Jelang pertarungan lawan Poirier, Khabib tidak tertarik membicarakan banyak hal tentang McGregor yang ia kalahkan dengan cekikan leher dari belakang dalam UFC 220 di Las Vegas pada 6 Oktober 2018. "Sejujurnya saya tidak mengerti apa yang Anda [media] tanyakan. Orang ini [McGregor], kapan terakhir kali dia menang? Kenapa kita terus membicarakan tentang orang ini?" kata Khabib. "Orang ini [McGregor] tidak berlatih lebih dari tiga tahun dan kita tetap membicarakan orang ini. Saya tidak mau berbicara tentang dia. Kita punya Dustin Poirier dan banyak hal lain. Tolong, ayo berbicara sesuatu yang nyata," ucapnya melanjutkan. Setelah bertarung lawan Poirier, Khabib belum berminat untuk melakoni tarung ulang lawan McGregor. Ia mengatakan lawan berikutnya hanya ada satu pertarung yakni Tony Ferguson dari Amerika. "Tentu saja, saya pikir dia [Ferguson] layak mendapatkan kesempatan. Siapa lagi? Tidak ada. Saya pikir hanya Tony Ferguson," ia menegaskan. [Gambas:Video CNN] (map/jal)
THERE's a buzz around UFC 242 as MMA returns to the desert and the UAE.
Khabib Nurmagomedov and challenger Dustin Poirier are all set for a dust-up as they headline a packed card at the newly-built Arena in Abu Dhabi.
2 Beating Conor McGregor in 2017 made Khabib a household name
For a maximum of 25 minutes work in the Octagon, the 30-year-old champion will collect around £5.2million - a huge jump from the approximate £1.75m he made beating Conor McGregor.
When is UFC 242?
ABU DHABI is all set for fight night at the sparkling new Arena on Yas Island.
The huge event will be held on Saturday, September 7.
Khabib vs Poirier tops the bill on an evening where the lightweight's take centre-stage.
The main card will be a pay-per-view event in the UK, broadcast on BT Sport Box Office from 7pm BST.
It will cost £19.95 to watch the main event - head here to purchase.
2 Khabib will rake in £5.2m on Saturday, triple what he earned for beating McGregor Credit: Getty
How can I watch the Khabib vs Poirier prelims for free?
BEFORE the main card, there's a packed selection of prelims to enjoy from the UAE.
Coverage of these will begin on BT Sport 2 from 5pm BST.
BT customers can watch wherever they are on the BT Sport app or by logging into the website player.
If you are an EE phone subscriber, you can sign up for a three-month FREE trial to BT Sport - simply text SPORT to 150.
This will allow you to watch on your phone, with casting available to your TV though the service.
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UFC 242 full card
Main
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Dustin Poirier (lightweight)
Edson Barboza vs Paul Felder (lightweight)
Islam Makhachev vs Davi Ramos (lighweight)
Curtis Blaydes vs Shamil Abdurakhimov (heavyweight)
Mairbek Taisumov vs Carlos Diego Ferreira (lightweight)
Prelims
Joanne Calderwood vs Andrea Lee (women's flyweight)
Zubaira Tukhugoc vs Lerone Murphy (featherweight)
Liana Jojua vs Sarah Moras (women's bantamweight)
Ottman Azaitar vs Teemu Packalen (lightweight)
Early prelims
Live: UFC 242 ceremonial weigh-in video for ‘Khabib vs Poirier’ in Abu Dhabi
With the UFC 242 early and official weigh ins already in the books (full results here), the promotion will send all 26 fighters back onstage for the ceremonial festivities at 10 a.m. ET in advance of tomorrow night’s pay-per-view (PPV) event on ESPN+ from Abu Dhabi (sign up here). The main event between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier will unify the lightweight titles and you can preview their cold open right here. For the entire UFC 242 fight card and line up click here.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 05: (L-R) UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia and UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier face off during the UFC seasonal press conference at T-Mobile Arena on July 5, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
The main event of Saturday’s UFC 242 pay-per-view card is a lightweight title unification bout. Lightweight titleholder Khabib Nurmagomedov returns to the octagon for the first time since he submitted Conor McGregor in the fourth round of UFC 229. That October 2018 victory marked Nurmagomedov’s first defense of the title he won in April 2018 with a decision win over Al Iaquinta. Poirier captured the interim title while Nurmagomedov served a nine-month suspension for leaping out of the octagon to go after one of McGregor’s cornermen at UFC 229. Poirier defeated UFC featherweight kingpin Max Holloway by decision to win the interim strap.
Here are some stats, facts and numbers for the upcoming matchup between Nurmagomedov vs. Poirier.
UFC 242 takes place at The Arena at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The main card streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on FX and UFC Fight Pass.
Khabib Nurmagomedov:
Nurmagomedov’s career record is 27-0.
Nurmagomedov’s UFC record is 11-0.
Nurmagomedov’s average fight time is 13:56.
Nurmagomedov scores 0.20 knockdowns per 15 minutes of action.
Nurmagomedov has a striking accuracy of 49.7 percent.
Nurmagomedov lands 4.29 significant strikes per minute.
Nurmagomedov’s striking defense is 66.9 percent.
Nurmagomedov absorbs significant 1.70 strikes per minute.
Nurmagomedov has a takedown accuracy of 44.8 percent.
Nurmagomedov averages 5.09 takedowns per 15 minutes of action.
Nurmagomedov has a takedown defense of 84.6 percent.
Nurmagomedov averages 0.59 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Nurmagomedov has eight wine by knockout and nine victories via submission.
Nurmagomedov has 11 first-round finishes.
Nurmagomedov is making his second title defense.
Nurmagomedov ranks ninth in UFC lightweight history in longest average fight time at 14:28.
Nurmagomedov ranks first in UFC lightweight history in strike differential at plus 2.26.
Nurmagomedov ranks third in UFC lightweight history in takedowns with 50.
Nurmagomedov has been awarded one fight-night bonus.
Dustin Poirier:
Poirier’s career record is 25-5-0-1.
Poirier’s UFC record is 17-4-0-1.
Poirier’s average fight time is 9:44.
Poirier scores 0.77 knockdowns per 15 minutes of action.
Poirier has a striking accuracy of 49.1 percent.
Poirier lands 5.96 significant strikes per minute.
Poirier’s striking defense is 57.3 percent.
Poirier absorbs 4.20 significant strikes per minute.
Poirier has a takedown accuracy of 37.9 percent.
Poirier averages 1.75 takedowns per 15 minutes of action.
Poirier has a takedown defense of 68.4 percent.
Poirier averages 0.91 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Poirier has 13 wins by knockout and six victories via submission.
Poirier has finishes in all but six of his wins.
Poirier has 12 first-round finishes.
Poirier ranks second in UFC lightweight history in strikes landed per minute with 6.83.
Poirier ranks fourth in UFC lightweight history in strike differential at plus 2.06.
Poirier is tied for sixth in UFC lightweight history with seven knockdowns.
Poirier ranks tenth in UFC lightweight history in significant strikes landed with 794.
Poirier has been awarded 10 fight-night bonuses.
Poirier has been awarded a fight-night bonus in his past four fights.
More on UFC 242:
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: Can A Rested Don Madge Keep His Stoppage Streak Alive?
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: Can Muslim Salikhov Answer Two Big Questions?
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: Can Takashi Sato Keep Moving Up Welterweight Rankings?
UFC 242 Video: Watch Khabib Nurmagomedov Vs. Dustin Poirier Countdown
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: Can The Debuting Ottman Azaitar Remain Undefeated Against Teemu Packalen?
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: Can Zubaira Tukhugov Take Advantage Of Favorable Matchmaking In His First Fight In More Than 3 Years?
UFC 242 Video: Watch Khabib Nurmagomedov Set The UFC Takedown Record
UFC 242 Video: Watch Edson Barboza Vs. Paul Felder Countdown
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: Are Joanne Calderwood And Andrea Lee Fighting For A Title Shot?
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: Is Mairbek Taisumov Headed Toward Retirement?
UFC 242 Video: Watch The Best Finishes Of Dustin Poirier’s Career
UFC 242 Video: Watch The Best Finishes Of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Career
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: Can Curtis Blaydes Add To His Dominant Wrestling?
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: What’s It Going To Take To Get Islam Makhachev A Ranked Opponent?
UFC Sends The Wrong Message In Using UFC 229 Incident That Disgusted Dana White To Promote UFC 242
UFC 242 Full Fight Video: Watch Khabib Nurmagomedov Submit Michael Johnson
UFC 242 Full Fight Video: Watch Dustin Poirier Knock Out Justin Gaethje
UFC 242 Co-Main Event Preview: Stats, Facts And Numbers For Edson Barboza Vs. Paul Felder 2
UFC 242 Weigh-In Video Live Stream For Khabib Nurmagomedov Vs. Dustin Poirier Fight Card
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: Can Paul Felder Defeat Edson Barboza In Their Rematch?
UFC 242 Preview And Picks: Can Dustin Poirier End Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Perfect Run?
UFC 242 Full Fight Video: Watch Khabib Nurmagomedov Win UFC Lightweight Title Via Decision
UFC 242 Full Fight Video: Watch Dustin Poirier Win Interim UFC Lightweight Title Via Decision
While I don’t believe there is much reason to get excited about the preliminary contests, the main card doesn’t feature a single fight that deserves criticism for being on the main card of a PPV. No, none of the contests outside of the main event have a can’t-miss feel to them like Donald Cerrone and Tony Ferguson did a few months back. But if we’re being honest, those types of contests – one that creates a bigger stir than a typical main or co-main event – only comes around every now-and-again, maybe once a year. The fighters in the first three main card contests have a combined 34-9 record in the confines of the UFC, none of them owning more than two losses. I’d be lying if I claimed all those victories came over quality UFC competition, but they’ve all proven they deserve their spots on the card in what should prove to be competitive contests.
Islam Makhachev (17-1) vs. Davi Ramos (10-2), Lightweight
Makhachev’s recent trajectory has been questionable at best as it feels the UFC has been lobbing softballs at him, his most recent contest coming against a debuting Armen Tsarukyan. Tsarukyan proved to be game, but why was Makhachev facing a debuting fighter when he was riding a four-fight win streak? Nonetheless, Makhachev appears to be back on track as Ramos is riding a nice win streak of his own in which his plentiful physical skills have been prominently on display. The only thing missing in Ramos’ streak: quality names, as his quality of opposition has been worse than Makhachev.
Ramos’ talent has never been questioned. Holding grappling titles in both Grapplers Quest and ADCC, Ramos was already considered a top-flight grappler when he made his UFC debut in 2017. He’s utilized those skills to secure three consecutive RNC victories in a row at one point, utilizing his cat-like quickness to get the back. His striking was used too, displaying explosive power in his fists that wasn’t a given to analysts when his MMA career began in earnest. Ramos still has a long way to go if he hopes to become a technically sound boxer – something that would appear to be doubtful – but he’s nonetheless dangerous. One big negative though has been his propensity to look for a highlight reel KO, often forgetting to utilize his world class BJJ chops.
Ramos isn’t the only powerful puncher who has forsaken their strength. Makhachev’s lone loss came when he forgot what he was best at too, resulting in a KO at the hands of Adriano Martins. Khabib’s teammate has since repented of that misdeed, emphasizing his overwhelming wrestling all the way to his current five-fight win streak. That hardly means Makhachev is a boring fighter as he fancies looking for finishes, willing to give up an advantageous position for a potential submission. This led to several entertaining scrambles against Tsarukyan. Is he willing to play that type of game with a grappler like Ramos? Hard to say. His best option could be to bang it out on the feet if he can’t avoid that tendency.
Makhachev represents a BIG step up in competition for Ramos, his best win likely coming against Nick Hein. I’m not saying Ramos can’t compete with the likes of Makhachev. I’m saying a steadier climb might have been a wiser approach with him rather than a series of middling opponents before throwing him in far deeper waters. Ramos appears to be durable enough to convince me he can avoid being finished, though I wouldn’t rule out a late stoppage as Ramos has faded late in contests that have gone the distance. Makhachev via decision
Curtis Blaydes (11-2, 1 NC) vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov (20-4), Heavyweight
If it wasn’t for Francis Ngannou, Blaydes would be all the rage for the future of the heavyweight division. It isn’t just because Ngannou tends to knock silly every single one of his opponents – whereas Blaydes path to victory is more methodical -- but because both of Blaydes’ two career losses came at the hands of the massive Cameroonian. It isn’t like Blaydes has been running roughshod over nobodies either, as Mark Hunt and Alistair Overeem count as two of the former junior college wrestling champion’s victims.
What makes Blaydes so dangerous is his combination of athleticism and wrestling technique. Normally an athlete of his size and caliber is gobbled up by more lucrative sports such as football or basketball. Somehow, Blaydes slipped through the cracks and MMA fans are the benefactors. It took him some time to adjust his style to MMA – see his painful performance against Daniel Omielanczuk – but there hasn’t been an opponent who has been able to stay upright if Blaydes doesn’t want them too since that learning experience. Don’t sell his GnP short either as his combination of punches and elbows made a bloody mess of what used to be Overeem’s face.
Those who remember Abdurakhimov’s UFC debut against Timothy Johnson are probably writing off the 38-year old Russian given Johnson used his mass to ground Abdurakhimov and pound him out. While I’m not saying that outcome is an impossibility, it would be foolish to believe that version of Abdurakhimov is the same one that will be stepping in with Blaydes. His continually improving boxing is highlighted by Abdurakhimov’s impressive footwork and combinations, allowing him to outmaneuver his opponent around the cage while hitting the occasional well-timed takedown. Blaydes’ standup has progressed nicely, but he’s not on the same level of Abdurakhimov.
Even though Abdurakhimov does a much better job of moving around the cage than when he first entered the UFC – giving his opposition minimal opportunities to score takedowns – Blaydes isn’t Timothy Johnson. He’s far more athletic and explosive, which will make it more difficult for Abdurakhimov will have a difficult time avoiding Blaydes’ pressure. Blaydes’ chin isn’t impenetrable as Ngannou has proven, making the idea of Abdurakhimov scoring a KO not nearly as silly as it might have seen just a short time ago. Nonetheless, the first instinct is likely the right one for this contest: expect Blaydes to drag Abdurakhimov to the mat and maul him until the referee steps in to stop the massacre. Blaydes via TKO of RD3.
Mairbek Taisumov (27-5) vs. Diego Ferreira (15-2), Lightweight
It’s plausible the one thing that has been holding back Taisumov from being a household name in the MMA community is his VISA problems as the Chechan has yet to fight in the USA under the UFC banner. It has limited the quality of competition, though that issue hasn’t been able to hide Taisumov’s skillful standup as five of the six wins in his current win streak have come via KO/TKO. Taisumov doesn’t typically push a hard pace, usually jumping in and out of the pocket in hopes of inducing a situation where he can counter. It can result in a slow-paced, dull contest like he had in his most recent showing against Des Green, but that’s only if his opponent doesn’t give him anything to work with.
That shouldn’t be an issue with Ferreira. The wildly aggressive Brazilian was the first person in years to extort an entertaining contest out of Rustam Khabilov, being the first to beat him in several years in the process. Whether it’s coming forward with reckless punches, leaping in for a takedown attempt, or fishing for a submission on the ground, Ferreira tends to go full bore. His wrestling leaves a lot to be desired, but he’s dangerous on the mat if he can succeed in forcing the fight to the mat. Due to his inability to do so on his terms, most of his fights have turned into a slugfest where he’s been able to get away with his lack of technique thanks to his power, athleticism, and overwhelming aggression.
Though Ferreira has faced far better competition than Taisumov, that competition has also exposed some of his issues that Taisumov’s haven’t revealed about him yet. While Ferreira has been able to style on some good athletes in Khabilov and Olivier Aubin-Mercier, both of them are also tentative strikers. Taisumov may be patient, but he isn’t tentative. He doesn’t need to be told twice to attack when given the opportunity. It’s plausible Ferreira could overwhelm Taisumov if the fight hits the mat – he did that to Khabilov -- but Taisumov has been able to stifle better wrestlers than Ferreira. Ferreira is fairly durable, but I still see the likelihood of Taisumov finding a way to finish him off being pretty high. Taisumov via TKO of RD1
