Ankalaev/Pereira 2 is best and most exciting LHW fight in almost a decade

[MMAMidwit]

The light-heavyweight division has always been my favorite weight-class but has been in shambles since Jones retired and USADA messed up the heavier weight classes. Chuck Liddell, Randy, Tito, Wanderlei, Jon Jones, DC, Rampage, Rumble, Gustaffson, Glover, Machida, Shogun, etc etc. Good times. The most exciting, stylistically diverse fighters who also plausibly had a claim to being "the baddest man on the planet" by beating whoever was the best HW at the time.

Of the current crop of LHWs the only guys who could realistically join the list above are Pereira, Ankalaev, and Jiri. Combo of distinct personality, distinct fighting style, and ability to beat anybody on any given day.

Anyway, back to original point. Ank/Pereira 2. These guys already fought once so the tentativeness of fresh matchup is out of way. Both guys say they were not 100% in first fight (ramadan, undisclosed injuries, bad camp). Pereira has some confidence in his ability to stop takedowns now and is hungrier for victory than first fight. Ank racked up 12 wins since last loss. Pereira is former champ and also 2-division champ in UFC and Glory. Plus, it is somewhat of a grudge match. On paper, this is the best LHW fight since Jones/DC.

 

[Luthien]

How can one gauge Poatan's hunger levels?

I've seen him do the same lame social media stunts as before, what has changed?

 

[MMAMidwit]

How can one gauge Poatan's hunger levels?

I've seen him do the same lame social media stunts as before, what has changed?

Maybe I am a mark. I buy it. This is the only time he is rematching a guy that he just lost to immediately afterwards.

 

[JBJ was here]

Hi Luffy! Welcome back!

 

[blunttruth]

I was way more interested in Poatan vs. Jiri, among many other LHW fights in the past. Just not too excited about this one for some reason?

 

[MMAMidwit]

I was way more interested in Poatan vs. Jiri, among many other LHW fights in the past. Just not too excited about this one for some reason?

That's why I made this thread. It's not self-evidently the case that this the best LHW fight in almost a decade because UFC promotion is crap and because of the general state of LHW division for a while now.

Jiri/Alex I think was objectively not as good because rematch was on short-notice and first fight was Alex winning a razor thin decision against Jan and being on 1-fight win streak after getting starched and Jiri coming off very long layoff due to injury.

Out of curiousity, what other LHW fights were you more hyped for?

 

[oski]

It's not gonna be anything but Ank doing it even better. Love all that chama, but not happening. The Dagestani dominance continues.

 

[hbombbisping]

Not to trash your thread in one post but the first fight sucked, so there's that.

 

[wolffanghameha]

In terms of anticipation I'd say Jiri vs Poatan was bigger for me. Even Jiri vs Khalil I'm more interested for.

I doubt this fight can top Jiri vs Glover (incredible. Absolute theatre) or Poatan vs Khalil (also incredible).

This one I'm interested, but would be at least as much for these possible LHW fights: Jiri vs Ank, DDP vs Ank, Jiri vs DDP, Ulberg vs Poatan.

 

[Captain Insano]

No.

Alex vs Izzy was more exciting.

Alex vs Jiri was more exciting.

But Alex is still the biggest draw in the UFC so it'd be nice for him to win.

 

[KO Shotz]

Jiri vs Pereira 1 was pretty exciting leading up to it.

 

[HNIC215]

Well, Alex seems to be motivated for this fight.

So hopefully that adds to something.

 

[Ludwig von Mises]

Nah Alex is going to get KTFO.

 

[Ibm]

its up there no doubt,

 

[fjodor]

I'm pretty sure both will be very cautious again and it could be a hugfest / stinker.

 

[HI SCOTT NEWMAN]

That first fight was so dull, both of them were very hesitant and tentative, not an easy fight to watch. To label the term most exciting is ridiculous. I'm hoping it will be much more entertaining than the first fight, but I don't think it will be anywhere near as exciting as the Glover vs Jiri LHW title fight which was amazing, maybe you don't remember that fight lol

 

[TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle]

Its a rematch of a not particularly great fight where one guy got dominated.

 

[HHJ]

How can one gauge Poatan's hunger levels?

I've seen him do the same lame social media stunts as before, what has changed?

He ain't got no belt now

 

[HHJ]

I was way more interested in Poatan vs. Jiri, among many other LHW fights in the past. Just not too excited about this one for some reason?

Big Ank vs Jiri**

 

[HHJ]

Not to trash your thread in one post but the first fight sucked, so there's that.

It didn't suck, because Ank won.