Minakov said after the event something like that he wouldn't agree to fight Pavlovich or that he doesn't want that fight (and doesn't want to fight Russians). From what I understand it's because Russian Heavyweights knows each other, trained with each other and it's kinda hard to fight with passion against guy who you knows.probably wanted to not get out sized, or knew bigfoot would come in huge and didn't bother cutting.
stll he should look like hot shit, maybe they can set up a super fight with papolovich after this on EFN in a few months
In a programme after the event Mineev, who knows Minakov mentioned low kicks of Bigfoot. He said that maybe Bigfoot knows about Minakov's problem with knee/knees, he said that almost everyone in Russia knows about that problem of Minakov and that he had knee surgery. And Mineev sounded like that problem of Minakov with knees is still unresolved.He'd better finish it in the first. I was told there was some training issues before the Linderman fight, and I feel like that's probably become worse if he's not even hitting the 265 limit anymore. Minakov is probably 240-245 in shape, no way he should be at 270.
Bigfoot may want to make it a grinding fight, clinch and just use his weight to tire Minakov out, then see if he can finish. Mind you Bigfoot is also on a huge decline, so he may not even have enough in him to beat an ill-prepared and tired Minakov.
Well Sergey wasn't impressive in his latest win but I still wanna see him in a bigger promotion.
Wish the UFC would sign Minakov tomorrow. That guy needs to be where the majority of the best heavyweights are, which is the UFC. If the UFC signed Minakov and Pavolich with their recent signings of Bhullar and Mulheron along with Lewis, Francis, Tybura and Volkov that they already have; people would have to stop complaining about the heavyweight division being weak.
Minakov said after the event something like that he wouldn't agree to fight Pavlovich or that he doesn't want that fight (and doesn't want to fight Russians). From what I understand it's because Russian Heavyweights knows each other, trained with each other and it's kinda hard to fight with passion against guy who you knows.
In a programme after the event Mineev, who knows Minakov mentioned low kicks of Bigfoot. He said that maybe Bigfoot knows about Minakov's problem with knee/knees, he said that almost everyone in Russia knows about that problem of Minakov and that he had knee surgery. And Mineev sounded like that problem of Minakov with knees is still unresolved.
Russian commentators said before the HW title fight that winner is gonna defend his belt against Sidelnikov.I feel like a lot of that was because he was his training partner. Pavlovich's mom also died only a few months ago, which is why the first fight was cancelled. There was probably a lot going on that caused him to look more tentative than normal.
That's interesting info about Minakov, and would explain a few things.
In terms of Russian heavies fighting each other, it was the same with Fedor, he didn't like to fight fellow countrymen he has trained with, so I can see that being a big issue. Honestly, Tony Johnson Jr should fight Pavlovich, and Minakov needs to move to the UFC or back to Bellator, resolve his free agency regardless.
Russian commentators said before the HW title fight that winner is gonna defend his belt against Sidelnikov.
Carlos Felipe (8-0) signed with UFC
I'm almost positive he will drop to 205 after a fight or two at HW. You'll notice the size difference right away when he fights an average sized heavyweight.
It's actually funny, they signed Albini and Felipe, but missed Ricardo Prasel, who is the better long term heavyweight prospect. Prasel is probably more raw, but he's 6'9", has a BJJ purple belt, and a kickboxing background. He's also pretty athletic.
Apparently UFC/Dana White is choosing to ignore Kyle Noblitt's past charges. He's going to be fighting on July 25th in the Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series on Fight Pass. No word on opponent yet.