How is it nonsense when he consistently slowed down in the most relevant fights of his career?
He's 34 and hasn't fought since before the pandemic, coming back would be a terrible choice for him that would only lead to tough losses.
It’s nonsense to me when
- the fighter is on a 10+ fight win streak, undefeated in the UFC with 6 fights
- keeps beating his opponents everywhere, standing or on the ground
- shows such flashes of brilliance that you rarely see
Some are seriously arguing that Bochniak walking him down in the end of the 3rd round (while eating punches) is a big slight on him. Like fighters just ran out of time before they would have beaten Zabit?
People also think beating Stephens back then was can crushing (reality check; Stephens was 3-2 in the last 5 with losses to Aldo and split dec against Moicano. Wins against Emmett, Doo Ho Choi and Giblert Melendez ((yes the 2017 version wasn’t elite, but wasnt a can either))).
They also like to pretend that Kattar was never that good and beating him in a 3 rounder was a given since Kattar is now on a losing streak (reality check; Kattar was 19-3 when they fought and beat Chikadze, Ige and Stephens after losing to Zabit. Holloway also beat the absolute shit out of Kattar but was unable to finish him).
It gets tiresome to read through the echochamber comments about Zabit’s horrible dogshit cardio which means he would’ve lost to ”everyone good” if it was a five rounder or whatever.
I don’t think he should come back unless he’s in top shape and 100% in it. I still think he was one of the most talented fighters to ever step in the octagon. Dropping a meaningless round in a fight you dominated doesn’t change anything
