MMA / UFC - Official Thread

[fsupenguin]

Jones won't be back for more than a year I would think, DC will be pushing 40 by then. You really think he is still going to making that weight cut so easily? He isn't a champion and looked like a clown calling out the man who decisively beat him.

Weidman though! How great was that, just imposed his will with that takedown and finish.

[GeorgesGoons]

I just don't see anyone beating DC right now in the LHW division. I don't think he'll have an issue with the weight cut and I am sure Uncle Dana will bring Jones back by the end of the year, as long as Jones completes at least 6 months of rehab.

Rumble needs to improve that cardio.

I'm on that Weidman train. I cannot wait for him and Rockhold to go at it. Or even Jacare. All great fights for us fans

[ReignOnU]

Cormier will easily make 205 for the next 5-10 years if he wants. He could probably make 185 as of right now. As for Rumble, that match is exactly what I predicted and told everyone that was at my house last night. Rumble had 2 rounds to take him out. If he couldn't do it by then, it was either going to be a Cormier sub or 5 round decision. It's not a matter of cardio for Rumble. It's a matter of muscle mass, throwing everything at 100% and spending a large amount of time carrying Cormier's weight.

Bader is the likely matchup for Cormier, but I don't see how Bader gets the W. Cormier is better in every aspect it seems. Gus actually creates the best matchup for Cormier, imo. He presents similar issues that Jones did with the reach and the ability to keep the fight standing. I'm not sure how that works itself out though, with Johnson have just obliterated Gus.


As for the rest of the card, I was really happy with it. Money well spent. The prelims were a bit underwhelming, specifically Uriah Hall. But the main card delivered. That fight between Arlovski and Browne was bonkers. One of the guys that I had over called that Browne punch that nearly put Arlovski out. But AA got his focus back on track and finished strong. I could see them putting Arlovski up against JDS now. It's really hard to give JDS another look at Cain, after 2 losses in the last 2.5 years. Miocic might get a crack, but it's a hard argument because JDS just beat him in December. I'd really like to see Arlovski face off with Mitrione. Meathead is on a nice roll with 3 consecutive KOs, after very strange loss to Schaub. I'm a big fan of Mitrione's standup game. It's seems really fluid for a guy his size. I nice contrast to AA.

Finally... Weidman vs Rockhold! Can't wait! That fight has to happen next and I think it's the beginning of long (2-3 years) title reign for Rockhold. Or potentially the beginning of a nice set of trilogy fights between them. Luke has 1 loss in the last 7 years and it was that highlight reel spinning kick from BelfoTrt. Rockhold is an incredibly complete fight and I think he has the strength, size and striking to cause problems for Weidman and he has the ground game to go with it. Rockhold's game reminds me a ton of Rich Franklin.

[GeorgesGoons]

I want to see Miocic and Arlovski for a title eliminating bout. I still think Miocic beat JDS.

[Weasel]

I don't really follow the sport too closely, but I was at a buddies who bought the ppv. That Browne fight was absolutely nuts. Arlovski was hilarious in the interview afterwards too, saying something along the lines of 'i kept hitting him like that but he was still alive! '

[DRiccio21]

Andrei Arlovski is still a thing? i thought he went away a long time ago?

[ReignOnU]

Andrei Arlovski is still a thing? i thought he went away a long time ago?

He did. He had a string of 3-5 KOs about 4 years ago and looked like he was completely destroyed. But he kept fighting... and has only lost 1 fight since (decision to Rumble). In his last 2 fights back in the UFC, he's KO'd Antonio Silva and now Travis Browne. Nice little career resurgence.

[ReignOnU]

Shit just got real in the UFC... this is as close to WADA/Olympic testing as it gets...

Credit to poster dimspace on Sherdog...

USADA handling all testing, punishments and appeals
Usada taking over all of UFC's testing as well as handing suspensions, bans and appeals

Two year minimum ban
Minimum ban will be 2 years, extendable up to 4 years for aggrevating circumstances (Attempting to avoid tests, tampering with test, coercing others into doping etc). 2nd offence 4/8 years, 3rd offence life. Previous offences will count towards total (For some specified substances ban will be 1-2 years)

State Commissions expected to follow in line with bans handed out by USADA
State commissins will be expected to follow USADA bans. In situations where SAC ban is longer UFC will respect that ban, if USADA ban is longer UFC will respect USADA ban. State commissions will have access to all test results and biological passport information.

Full out of competition testing with whereabouts system
Athletes will have to log on through web or app to put in their whereabouts for a set window for every day. They will then be tested randomly out of competition. Missed tests count against you, three missed tests is a ban

Biological Passport system to spot non-positive doping
BP system records all athletes values over a period of time potentially leading to bans when an athlete is believed to be doping, crazy blood values, test levels going up and down in the abscence of a positive.

TUE's handled by USADA
All TUE's (Theraputic use exemptions) will go through USADA. They will pass that info onto UFC and Zuffa

USADA working with other Anti Doping Agencies to conduct testing in All juristrictions
So USADA will request Brazilian anti doping, UK Anti Doping etc etc to carry out tests on their behalf.

In Competition testing
Defined as 6 hours before weigh in to 6 hours after fight

Minimum 2750 tests per year
USADA contracted to do a minimum number of tests per year, but will be higher as required.

Novitzky co-ordinating with USADa and other organisations (Fusionetics/Exos) for education as well as rehabilitation assistance, injury prevention, training advice etc etc
Fusionetics and Exos now in partnership with UFC to handle training advice, injury prevention etc etc, and new UFC HQ will have custom training and recovery centre for athletes to use.

All comes into force on July 1st of this year

[DRiccio21]

seems like an odd business move by UFC

not sure i get it

[autiger730]

Wow. I like it. Fight clean or don't fight.

[Seeitsaveit13]

seems like an odd business move by UFC

not sure i get it

That was my thought. I guess the people complaining that it's not fair or that doping is taking over are outweighing the people that just want to see giant guys beat the piss out of each other? (oversimplified of course)

I would have thought they'd be more apt to look the other way than go super legit...

[DRiccio21]

you typically do what you can to protect your assets, not put them at risk.

its a commendable thing to do and for the long term health of the sport its probably better, just odd as UFC doesn't exactly have the most ethical bunch of people in mgmt.

i wonder if they had given Brock the heads up

[ReignOnU]

I'm interested to see what it does to the fight cards. This is pretty far-reaching. One of the head guys in charge is notorious for taking down some big names (Lance Armstrong, Marion Jones).

[jsence2]

One other way to look at it, Dave:

It may take out some of the guys who could demand higher pay/contracts that have been complaining, if White knows they are doping. He could be taking a calculated risk here to shut them up or force them out.

It also hurts competition, as Strikeforce/others who take guys who suddenly leave UFC get viewed as taking on "tainted" guys

[DRiccio21]

the guys who demand/want higher pay are still well worth the investment to UFC. they are getting these dudes for peanuts. they could quadruple the pay of their biggest stars and it still wouldn't matter. if White wants guys out, he just kicks them out.

as a fan, i don't think i'd care if i was watching a juiced up guy fighting in strikeforce if its a good fight.

[autiger730]

Strikeforce, LOL.

[autiger730]

First two fights have been exciting. Hopefully it keeps going like this.

[autiger730]

Ortega/Tavares was incredible.

[ReignOnU]

This whole card are been awesome... definitely enjoyed that Ortega fight. The kid legitimately shows the ability to finish a fight from any position... impressive.

[autiger730]

I missed the prelims, but the main card has been one of the best in recent memory. Nice to see the judges not being involved at all.