- Joined
- Apr 10, 2008
- Messages
- 5,623
- Reaction score
- 931
With his comments about pay in the year or so leading up to his title fight, it was obvious he's more interested in making quick bank than getting belts and building a legacy. He timed his leave badly though, dropping two straight fights on his way out the door.
I'm not sure going to Bellator is the smartest move for him, even if he got offered a little extra money - he's been in the top 5 at WW for years and really put himself on the map with his fight with Lawler. The set-back to Thompson isn't that devastating IMO, as I have Thompson becoming champ as soon as he signs on the dotted line against Woodley, and Rory made it competitive enough of a fight that there's potential for another shot at him.
In Bellator, what's his future? Pick the belt off Koreshkov, get a few defenses against opponents outside of the top 10... Fair enough if he just wants to give his nose a break (no pun intended) and take on some easier caliber fighters for moderate money.
He put on some mediocre fights during his UFC tenure, but I enjoyed watching him. Hope the Bellator thing works out for him.
I'm not sure going to Bellator is the smartest move for him, even if he got offered a little extra money - he's been in the top 5 at WW for years and really put himself on the map with his fight with Lawler. The set-back to Thompson isn't that devastating IMO, as I have Thompson becoming champ as soon as he signs on the dotted line against Woodley, and Rory made it competitive enough of a fight that there's potential for another shot at him.
In Bellator, what's his future? Pick the belt off Koreshkov, get a few defenses against opponents outside of the top 10... Fair enough if he just wants to give his nose a break (no pun intended) and take on some easier caliber fighters for moderate money.
He put on some mediocre fights during his UFC tenure, but I enjoyed watching him. Hope the Bellator thing works out for him.