Arantes is a vet who's never been stopped by strikes before and Emmett seemed to have him in danger all throughout the fight, he was visibly much stronger and more threatening, he just didn't manage to land that finishing shot, it happens, doesn't have to mean someone can't crack. And I don't buy the narrative of Arantes playing possum in the slightest.
For the record, I was on Arantes for that fight and that made me feel a +200 bet was square.
Appreciate the interesting discourse. I watched Arantes/Emmett last night, but went back and re-watched it again after your post. I'll concede as I did in my earlier post that Emmett hurt Arantes several times throughout the fight. We know from his prior UFC bouts, however, that Arantes is a bend, but don't break type fighter - meaning he's been hurt before, despite never being finished w/ strikes.
I do disagree with your assessment that Arantes wasn't playing possum "in the slightest." Sure, I agree Emmett dropped him cleanly a number of times. But, we've seen Arantes submit people from his back and reverse position. He knew he had an advantage on the ground. It looked apparent to me several times that Arantes recognized the disadvantage he had striking and attempted to goad Emmett into engaging on the ground.
Regardless, of course Emmett was much stronger. He is the bigger more physically imposing man. Though he may be bigger/stronger than Lamas, I think the difference will be negligible as Lamas is not undersized (former 155er as well) and has handled bigger opponents (Diego, Koch, Hacran) quite well in the past.
Lastly, I didn't say Emmett couldn't crack. Guy hit Arantes pretty hard multiple times!!
(I, too, was on Arantes), but he hasn't looked like a power guy from what I've witnessed. Please forgive my ignorance if I'm neglecting to remember, but I can't recall him having rocked or significant stunned any UFC opponents besides Arantes. Maybe I'm mis-characterizing him, but I see Emmett as more of a wrestler and a bit formulaic and stiff in his striking, albeit throws solid volume. I think this is Lamas' fight to lose.