The Official UFC Thread

[muppet]

He looked off balance throwing it though. I'm not sure it would have had enough power to do damage. McGregor was expecting it and unloaded a counter perfectly. I think Aldo's punch landed before McGregor's, so I don't think he was knocked out when it landed.

Edit - Looked at it again, you're right. It was the right hand that McGregor countered. Aldo's left was going to land heavy if McGregor didn't spark him out.

https://youtu.be/LTit9mg_XOc

It looked a decent punch even though he had already been hit with a knockout punch. If McGregor was slightly later, they could have both been knocked out! Apparently the rule for that is, the first man to stand up wins.

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

Rocky dived! Typical Italian.

[The Iceman]

Prize fighting is about the gold - not always the gold belt but always the gold coin.  That's the prize.  That stack of gold coins get's bigger and bigger the more people buy the PPV or watch the fight on free TV.  It get's bigger the more people attend the event, stay at the hotels, spend money in the casinos and bars and clubs.  I think that only happens when you have a pulverizing figure to follow. How many would fly to Vegas for Norman Parke, Cathal Pendred or Joe Duffy? We don't want to see paint dry! We want spectactle, we want to be part of something bigger than ourselves - love him or hate you watch McGregor.

Outside of the cage he's the opposite.  He's the man at the post fight press conference.  Quiet, articulate, sometimes humble,  A family man, a hard worker and an extremely loyal friend.

Aldo was undefeated in 10 years - think about that. 10 years.  He rightly so has been recognized as the P4P #1 MMA fighter in the world. He has defeated decisively a who's who of the lighter divisions.
Against Cub Swanson (not an overly gifted fighter) Aldo got mad, he was over reaching in his punches, determined to inflict damage.  He fought sloppy (much like Rhonda against Holly Holm).  McGregor and his coaches know this.  They had to go after Aldo mentally, make him mad, make him sloppy. make him overreach in his punches.  It wasn't always nice to watch but the mental warfare of the past year worked.  Aldo was mad, he ran into McGregor and he caught him lovely but in doing so was wide open for the left hook to the chin.

I loved the fight, I loved the result and I'm proud of McGregor's achievements to date.  His supporters get a little carried away with themselves but that isn't his fault.

[STREET FIGHTER]

I really dislike the trash-talk and to be honest I'm looking forward to his inevitable defeat down the line. He mightn't be so fond of seeing a microphone shoved in his face after that.

I don't see his attitude as new or refreshing, Ali started it years ago and now it seems to be the done thing for combat sports. It doesn't entertain me either, if it did I probably wouldn't even watch UFC I'd watch videos of tinkers calling each other out on Youtube. Winding people up/Being a w@nk shouldn't be part and parcel of being a respected sportsman, inevitably some gowl takes it too far like Tyson Fury and everyone just shrugs their shoulders because top boxers are expected to be controversial. The views guys like Fury espouse aren't okay.

Muppet I don't think it's something you want to see in GAA, we already have a mouthy WUM up on centre stage and he's far from a national treasure in the county of Mayo. Next time you Mayo boys take offence to Brolly calling you chokers or cheats I'll remind you of love for the braggadocio.

George Hook was right, pre-match interview are a waste of everyone's time. Supporters, interviewers, interviewees. Unless you know you're gonna get something different from the norm don't bother your hole. Journalists have column inches to fill though and pre-match interviews make acceptable manure filler.

Spot on, I don't understand why people think they need to hear trash talk to make a sport interesting. Whats the difference between using slabbering as a promotional tool and sledging? This is actually worse than sledging in IMO. Sledging is used to gain a competitive advantage, this carry on is used to generate money, which IMO is as vulgar and as distasteful as it gets.

Boxing has allowed it to be used as a promotional tool for a long time now in an attempt to try and stem the tide of its gradual 80 year demise. And while it gives small boosts to some fighters it has not stopped the overall decline in interest. I think because team sports have a legacy and tradition it is more adept at fulfilling the tribalism wants that many sports fan are yearning for. Anyway the result  for boxing has been to turn its image into a crude corrupt pantomime, even tho inside the ropes is still overall, more or less, as good as it has always has.

Do you lot really think that he does it for any other reasons than money and getting inside the head of his opponent? It is not personal, acting the arse wipe make him more marketable, expecially when he backs up everything he say's, and as for the second part, Aldo's wife was saying he is crazy and he agreed, tell me Aldo wasnt shitting himself the other night!

Aldo wasn't shitting himself the other night.

He lasted 13 seconds ffs, he is the MMA version of Leon Spinks which is sad because he was a tremendous champion, he was never ready to fight McGregor, never wanted to fight McGregor because McGregor got to him between the ears! His wife coming out and flapping her gums was music to McGregors ears.

What did Aldo's Mrs say?

[gawa316]

Prize fighting is about the gold - not always the gold belt but always the gold coin.  That's the prize.  That stack of gold coins get's bigger and bigger the more people buy the PPV or watch the fight on free TV.  It get's bigger the more people attend the event, stay at the hotels, spend money in the casinos and bars and clubs.  I think that only happens when you have a pulverizing figure to follow. How many would fly to Vegas for Norman Parke, Cathal Pendred or Joe Duffy? We don't want to see paint dry! We want spectactle, we want to be part of something bigger than ourselves - love him or hate you watch McGregor.

Outside of the cage he's the opposite.  He's the man at the post fight press conference.  Quiet, articulate, sometimes humble,  A family man, a hard worker and an extremely loyal friend.

Aldo was undefeated in 10 years - think about that. 10 years.  He rightly so has been recognized as the P4P #1 MMA fighter in the world. He has defeated decisively a who's who of the lighter divisions.
Against Cub Swanson (not an overly gifted fighter) Aldo got mad, he was over reaching in his punches, determined to inflict damage.  He fought sloppy (much like Rhonda against Holly Holm).  McGregor and his coaches know this.  They had to go after Aldo mentally, make him mad, make him sloppy. make him overreach in his punches.  It wasn't always nice to watch but the mental warfare of the past year worked.  Aldo was mad, he ran into McGregor and he caught him lovely but in doing so was wide open for the left hook to the chin.

I loved the fight, I loved the result and I'm proud of McGregor's achievements to date.  His supporters get a little carried away with themselves but that isn't his fault.

Good post

[gawa316]

surely they'll give a man of Aldo's standing a rematch?

The two options they've outlined are a defence against Edgar or move up to 155 for an immediate title shot against next week's winner. Harsh on Aldo.

I think Aldo should get the rematch before Edgar gets a chance. Until Saturday he was the only UFC featherweight champion ever and add in the way he lost, I think they need to respect what he has done for the past 10 odd years. Surely Dana will go with the potential of $$$$

[The Iceman]

It's hard to know what will happen next for McGregor. Dana's absence later at the press conference is very telling - there is trouble there - a difference of opinion on whether or not Dana will allow McGregor to compete simultaneously at both weight classes (145 and 155).
There's some huge men and huge fights at 155.  I agree that Dana will not want to lose the $$$$ but I don't know if Aldo brings those. The smartest option is to protect McGregor somewhat. Match him against strikers. Match him against smaller 155'ers.  Fill Croke Park, make a couple of defenses and retire. 
There are a couple of stories worth pursuing.  Cowboy is a better fight for CMG - Cowboy can be baited - Nate Diaz proved that - then you have the Joe Duffy angle.  That's two fights to keep CMG busy for 2016 at 155lbs.  If DosAnjos wins that's a very bad match-up for McGregor and he'll stay at 145 and fight Edgar in Croker. 
The Faber Dillashaw story is also interesting. TJ beats Faber hands down - he is too good for him at this point. But Faber and McGregor have been chummy of late and TJ wants the super fight and could move up if he beats Cruz.
Lots of options as Conor says... great time to be him in the UFC

[gallsman]

surely they'll give a man of Aldo's standing a rematch?

The two options they've outlined are a defence against Edgar or move up to 155 for an immediate title shot against next week's winner. Harsh on Aldo.

I think Aldo should get the rematch before Edgar gets a chance. Until Saturday he was the only UFC featherweight champion ever and add in the way he lost, I think they need to respect what he has done for the past 10 odd years. Surely Dana will go with the potential of $$$$

I don't disagree but I don't think it'll happen unfortunately.

[gallsman]

Recovery from injury aside, if he's fit, I think Cruz beats Dillashaw every time. His comeback last year after 3 years out was spectacular.

Edgar is a tough, tough fight for McGregor. I think it's the most likely option at this stage but it won't be in Croker. Too difficult to sell the mid afternoon pay per view to the States next summer when they'll also be asked to fork out for a huge UFC 200. McGregor-Edgar and Holm-Rousey 2 for 200 in the new arena in Vegas.

[The Iceman]

I don't know where the UFC makes the most money - but the gate in the MGM was $10million.  It think it holds less than 20,000.  Croke Park could surely hold 85,000 plus - so that might be enough of a draw.  I don't know if they would waste the drawing power of McGregor and Rousey on one card - might be wrong but I don't think they would.  The new casino might be the best bet but the Irish are only going to travel for so long. There's some loans out I'd say on the past two trips alone.

Who knows - its a good time regardless!

[gallsman]

Next summer will be the middle of championship season too. There are few enough free evenings unless you do it in June.

[foxcommander]

He should go fight in wembley and take his poppies with him. Gaa shouldnt even consider letting him in the door.

[The Iceman]

really? I'm surprised you have the time to comment what with all your efforts to free Ireland....

[foxcommander]

really? I'm surprised you have the time to comment what with all your efforts to free Ireland....

Sorry Ice - I don't have much time for him. Gaa should concentrate on their own sports than accommodating his fights.

[The Iceman]

really? I'm surprised you have the time to comment what with all your efforts to free Ireland....

Sorry Ice - I don't have much time for him. Gaa should concentrate on their own sports than accommodating his fights.

Maybe they should but they like the coin too just as much as he does....  Peace

[50fiftyball]

UFC 200 - I see that's noted down on UFC official website for Saturday July 9 in Las Vegas.

Do the UFC have this penned down as a big landmark event or do these numbers of their events mean nothing i.e. is 197 etc just as big?

Would consider booking flights shortly it if there was a good chance McGregor etc would be at it!