Actual question looking for insight: why is Ank -mostly- favored in the rematch? Thks in advance

[Rubios]

Hi there.
First: Ank won the fight and it was clear for me. But it was close. These two are not mutually exclusive.

I've watch it 3 times and what's also clear is that Alex had his lead hand and foot compromised. To what extent, only he knows, and is his fault -or responsibility- (and his team's) to face an opponent this tough as a lesser version of himself.

Point is: he has recently said his team and himself will make sure to be in the best conditions for the rematch.

Alex did very well defending TDs. In fact, he stuffed them all.
He should keep improving in this aspect because is his main training focus and he's still in the quick learning curve stage.

Ank absorbed the same awkward low kicks with the inside foot that Izzy and Jiri had reported to hurt a lot and cause serious damage, x5
If Alex has a healthy leg, there's no way Ank is getting away with that.

Ank has proven to be a truly elite striker. Still, none of his attributes (power, hand speed, distance closing, defense, hand fighting...) equals the same threats Alex has faced -and overcame- @ Glory.

So, is the reason some -ore a combination- of the following?

#1 The "a champion improves by a 20%" thing.

#2 You believe Ank will get Alex to the ground this time. Alex would be in serious trouble there, I agree.

#3 Age catching up with Alex.

#4 Ank actually received that many low kicks because he felt they didn't hurt, could've checked or skipped most of them.


Thanks in advance!

 

[Rorschachxx]

Visually speaking, Ank was able to shut down Pereiras game. Whether injuries played a factor or not, the only thing we can judge is the fight itself.

I believe Ankalaev won the fight without controversy. Especially upon rewatching it twice, it wasn't as close (and I had Ank as the winner live).

Most fans don't pay too much attention to the nuances and details of fights. "Fighter A beat fighter B - he's the better fighter." This will obv. affect predictions for a rematch.

Lets also not forget that Ankalaev went 25 minutes and now has first-hand experience standing in front of Alex and trying to beat him. He will make adjustments the same way Alex will.

Also in recent years, the vast majority of champs can't seem to reclaim the title in rematches. No doubt that plays a factor in predictions as well. O'Malley, Usman, Weili, Joanna, Garbrandt, Strickland, Aldo, Holloway just to name a few.

Gun to my head: I'm picking Ankalaev in a potential rematch as well.

 

[Dr Fong]

I don't get it either.

Alex is only 38 years old with only 60 professional combat bouts under his belt. His training seems to consist of taking instagram pictures wrestling on a beach or standing next to a Lamborghini in a new country every week.

We know from history that this is a trusted recipe for a young, hungry fighter to look better and better every time we see him from here.

 

[sickness666]

Unfortunately, my principles forbid me from being a fan of someone who practices a religion that allows them to treat their wives like dog shit.
And purely for that reason, I would probably support Poatan and oppose Analaev.
But I think you have to be honest with yourself and say that Ankalaev didn't put up a bad fight. Besides, he's very versatile in his skills and isn't just a lay-and-pray fighter, which quite a few Dagestanis are.
And I can only agree with @Rorschachxx .
And even though I don't like the fighter personally: a champion should normally be the favorite in a rematch.
And regarding your first point: I don't think being a champion improves all aspects by 20%. But the impact of increased self-confidence should certainly never be underestimated.
I'm just thinking about Penn vs. Edgar. Nobody gave Edgar a chance back then. And even before the rematch, everyone said it was just a fluke.
And Edgar not only won the rematch, but in my opinion, he had a better fight and a more decisive result.

 

[don't ask]

I don't know why Aleks lost, but I do know he was being fed inferior strikers after winning the belt in a questionable decision while Ankalaev was kept from the belt in a questionable decision by the UFC. Part of this just feels like the meritocracy of the sport asserting itself.

 

[Ares Black]

Because he's a better fighter

 

[Cameron]

Mathematically winning ones title back in late 30’s doesn’t happen.

 

[Thy]

prolly cause he won. maybe is alex avoids nina he'll win though.

 

[Pequeño Corey]

Age. I don’t think Alex can show up reivigorated and look better. Ank was always going to be a tough fight for him.

 

[Eric Silva 2.0]

Hi there.
First: Ank won the fight and it was clear for me. But it was close. These two are not mutually exclusive.

I've watch it 3 times and what's also clear is that Alex had his lead hand and foot compromised. To what extent, only he knows, and is his fault -or responsibility- (and his team's) to face an opponent this tough as a lesser version of himself.

Point is: he has recently said his team and himself will make sure to be in the best conditions for the rematch.

Alex did very well defending TDs. In fact, he stuffed them all.
He should keep improving in this aspect because is his main training focus and he's still in the quick learning curve stage.

Ank absorbed the same awkward low kicks with the inside foot that Izzy and Jiri had reported to hurt a lot and cause serious damage, x5
If Alex has a healthy leg, there's no way Ank is getting away with that.

Ank has proven to be a truly elite striker. Still, none of his attributes (power, hand speed, distance closing, defense, hand fighting...) equals the same threats Alex has faced -and overcame- @ Glory.

So, is the reason some -ore a combination- of the following?

#1 The "a champion improves by a 20%" thing.

#2 You believe Ank will get Alex to the ground this time. Alex would be in serious trouble there, I agree.

#3 Age catching up with Alex.

#4 Ank actually received that many low kicks because he felt they didn't hurt, could've checked or skipped most of them.


Thanks in advance!

I agree with 1,2,3 but not 4. Styles make fights and I think Ank is a bad matchup for Alex. Ank being a Southpaw is a small part of that equation.

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

 

[PeterGriffin]

While I think Ankalaev won the first fight and it was a pretty obvious win, I don't believe he beat the best version of the champion either. Alex was visibly off and I think the rematch plays out much differently. I believe we get a better fight than in the first outing.

Pereira really doesn't seem the type to lie, and whether or not the suggestions of Alex being hurt and sick are actually true, he seemed quite subdued even in the walkout. Alex didn't even really seem all that upset he lost either, like he knew he fucked up.

Regardless, this is one of rare immediate rematches I actually agree with and it doesn't really matter who wins, the LHW division will still have a good champ at the top. I think either guy will fight whoever the UFC puts in front of him without putting up a stink or acting like a princess.

 

[2432sj]

Because he’s the most overrated fighter to come along in a while.

 

[TheTickG]

Hi there.
First: Ank won the fight and it was clear for me. But it was close. These two are not mutually exclusive.

I've watch it 3 times and what's also clear is that Alex had his lead hand and foot compromised. To what extent, only he knows, and is his fault -or responsibility- (and his team's) to face an opponent this tough as a lesser version of himself.

Point is: he has recently said his team and himself will make sure to be in the best conditions for the rematch.

Alex did very well defending TDs. In fact, he stuffed them all.
He should keep improving in this aspect because is his main training focus and he's still in the quick learning curve stage.

Ank absorbed the same awkward low kicks with the inside foot that Izzy and Jiri had reported to hurt a lot and cause serious damage, x5
If Alex has a healthy leg, there's no way Ank is getting away with that.

Ank has proven to be a truly elite striker. Still, none of his attributes (power, hand speed, distance closing, defense, hand fighting...) equals the same threats Alex has faced -and overcame- @ Glory.

So, is the reason some -ore a combination- of the following?

#1 The "a champion improves by a 20%" thing.

#2 You believe Ank will get Alex to the ground this time. Alex would be in serious trouble there, I agree.

#3 Age catching up with Alex.

#4 Ank actually received that many low kicks because he felt they didn't hurt, could've checked or skipped most of them.


Thanks in advance!

He won the first fight. Also, Poatan was making excuses instead solely focusing on improvement afterwards.

 

[Safton]

Ankalaev really just seemed to have his number. That's the only time I recall seeing Pereira look that flustered for so long. We've seen him face adversity and even get KO'd, but he typically seems composed all the while. Not in front of Ank. He did well to stuff the TDs, but I think Magomed being a dangerous counter-striker with a wrestling threat who is still willing & able to aggressively pressure you (rather than back up and look for the kill shot like many counter-strikers) made for a combination of variables Alex wasn't prepared to deal with on fight night.

Ankalaev pressuring while stance-switching, hand-fighting, trapping, and feinting looks like small stuff in the moment, but the fact that he does all of this while forcing Pereira to back up towards the cage and thus make him think "Uh-oh, he's about to shoot on me" while also getting himself in striking range... it honestly took me a rewatch to truly realize how effective all that was.

 

[orca]

While I think Ankalaev won the first fight and it was a pretty obvious win, I don't believe he beat the best version of the champion either. Alex was visibly off and I think the rematch plays out much differently. I believe we get a better fight than in the first outing.

Pereira really doesn't seem the type to lie, and whether or not the suggestions of Alex being hurt and sick are actually true, he seemed quite subdued even in the walkout. Alex didn't even really seem all that upset he lost either, like he knew he fucked up.

Regardless, this is one of rare immediate rematches I actually agree with and it doesn't really matter who wins, the LHW division will still have a good champ at the top. I think either guy will fight whoever the UFC puts in front of him without putting up a stink or acting like a princess.

have you seen pereira vs jan?
the first time someone tried to wrestle him
you believe ank wont beat that pereira as well?
because you where saying ank didnt beat the best version of pereira

 

[Rubios]

Thanks for the insight, for real!

The only thing no one of you addressed is that Ank ate 48 low kicks. 48.
And it's not that Alex was not committing to them bc of the TD threat. He never commits and throws with his unique awkward technique.

For context, Izzy ate 22 & 26 with seasoned KB legs
Jiri, 12 & 9 being... Jiri.

Both, besides reporting how much they hurt and the damage they cause, showed clear impairment in their mobility from them.

Do you think Ank just ate that many because... well, he felt didn't hurt that night?
*This was a clear sign that something was going on with Poatan's foot, or leg, IMHO.

Or do you think Ank will finish him early? Because I can't figure out how he can get away receiving that many calf kicks from Alex, nonetheless.

 

[dipstickjimmy]

Hi there.
First: Ank won the fight and it was clear for me. But it was close. These two are not mutually exclusive.

I've watch it 3 times and what's also clear is that Alex had his lead hand and foot compromised. To what extent, only he knows, and is his fault -or responsibility- (and his team's) to face an opponent this tough as a lesser version of himself.

Point is: he has recently said his team and himself will make sure to be in the best conditions for the rematch.

Alex did very well defending TDs. In fact, he stuffed them all.
He should keep improving in this aspect because is his main training focus and he's still in the quick learning curve stage.

Ank absorbed the same awkward low kicks with the inside foot that Izzy and Jiri had reported to hurt a lot and cause serious damage, x5
If Alex has a healthy leg, there's no way Ank is getting away with that.

Ank has proven to be a truly elite striker. Still, none of his attributes (power, hand speed, distance closing, defense, hand fighting...) equals the same threats Alex has faced -and overcame- @ Glory.

So, is the reason some -ore a combination- of the following?

#1 The "a champion improves by a 20%" thing.

#2 You believe Ank will get Alex to the ground this time. Alex would be in serious trouble there, I agree.

#3 Age catching up with Alex.

#4 Ank actually received that many low kicks because he felt they didn't hurt, could've checked or skipped most of them.


Thanks in advance!

Why is Ank the favourite in the rematch?
He won the first fight and it wasn't some fortunate quick KO or sub. It was a clear 5 round decision. Pretty basic stuff.

 

[ElLunico]

Cause he dominated the guy? Lol the fk

 

[PeterGriffin]

have you seen pereira vs jan?
the first time someone tried to wrestle him
you believe ank wont beat that pereira as well?
because you where saying ank didnt beat the best version of pereira

Why do you think the Alex that beat Jan is the best version of Alex in the first place?

Sorry, but honestly, Alex's TDD was more impressive than Ankalaev's supposed grappling prowess. Compromised or not. If I had but one takeaway from that entire fight that surprised me, that's what it was. Ankalaev fought a smart fight, and deserved the win.

I also believe Alex was injured or ill in their first match. Fighters will tell you fighting hurt is just a part of the game and they'll go out on their sword or their shield. Athletes will put a fight off if they're less than 100%.

Whether it was illness, injury, complacency, or even his ego getting the better of himself, Alex was off his game, and Ankalaev was on point in their first fight. You either saw that or you didn't.

So yes, I believe in a rematch against Ankalaev, a healthy Pereira puts up a much different fight, and we as fans, get a better match than the first one put on between the two. I don't even recall saying I think Alex wins, just that we get a better fight and that the LHW division still has a real champ at the end of it.

What can I say? I like champs that stay in their own lane and take care of business. Both Alex and Magomed fit that bill.