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

[HHJ]

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.

Fuck the UFC.

May the best fighter win.

 

[Rubios]

I could be totally wrong, but I believe Jiri will be champ again once Alex leaves or Ank beats Pereira again.
So Jiri vs Alex was WAY more interesting to me.

 

[Oscar Madison]

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.

After the disappointment of the Khamzat-DDP "fight" --

I'm not going to get overly excited about this one -- another "kill everybody" style build up becomes a LAME exercise in crappy promotion, when the cage work doesn't match the prefight violent zeal.

Listening to the chorus of Khamzat Boos in Stereo (from both the Live Broadcast and Casino mob) whilst watching Round 2-5 unfold makes me skeptical about this Ank-Alex II product.

I hope both Ank and Alex -- who are capable of putting on a War -- step up their performance when they lock the cage.

 

[Chagaev]

A decade no. That's stepping into Jones, DC and Gus territory and these new dudes don't have that level.

Maybe for the last 5 years, but that's not saying much. And it could be just rock, paper, scissors between a bunch of mediocre fighters.

 

[Tweak896]

It could be, but just like UFC rematches great fights up again and expects a similar fight, the same goes for this fight. Assume it's just as entertaining and it'll only go differently if there is a huge difference in gameplans or a real injury.

 

[HHJ]

A decade no. That's stepping into Jones, DC and Gus territory and these new dudes don't have that level.

Maybe for the last 5 years, but that's not saying much. And it could be just rock, paper, scissors between a bunch of mediocre fighters.

PFff

You really think Gus is level above Ank, Pereria and Jiri? Why?

I like Gus but I don't see why the top 3 guys today couldn't best him

 

[Harlekin]

- TS is a Ank nuthugging whitebelt
- Probably someone who has been banned before
- Fight will be boring
- Old fighters do bad in rematches. Most likely Ank wins 4-1 or by ko

Let's hope Poatan finds the hail mary, Dagestanis are so annoying.

 

[Chagaev]

PFff

You really think Gus is level above Ank, Pereria and Jiri? Why?

I like Gus but I don't see why the top 3 guys today couldn't best him

Look at these new champs fighting 40 YO dudes that were in their physical prime 10 years ago or more. Barely squeaking by.

Gus had the better TD and was better at mixing things up overall. More dynamic striker than Ank, more disciplined than Jiri. 6ft '5 also.

 

[Captain Insano]

Fuck the UFC.

May the best fighter win.

It has to be this way.

If you can't make money you can't have a sport.

 

[Ladron4sherdog]

- TS is a Ank nuthugging whitebelt
- Probably someone who has been banned before
- Fight will be boring
- Old fighters do bad in rematches. Most likely Ank wins 4-1 or by ko

Let's hope Poatan finds the hail mary, Dagestanis are so annoying.

Nah hope Alex's daddy beats him again.
Dagenstinis bless!

 

[Kyojiro Kagenuma]

The first fight wasn't very good so.

 

[bobafett]

I’m not falling for that again. Always rooting for poatan tho

 

[Ladder Master]

I will watch but I am not excited.

IN before someone says…
You are not a MMA fan.

 

[SuperNerd]

Nah. Even the Roundtree fight was more interesting and exciting.

I was pumped going into that fight, and it was great.

 

[Deceasedxo]

Hard disagree. I feel the sport has moved on from both already. Poatan disappointed his fanbase and looks to be on the road to doing the same again if social media is anything to go by. Then no one but the sweatiest of contrarians or muslim neckbeards enjoy Ank. Either one winning does nothing for the division and it could end up being even more boring than the first time.

 

[Substance Abuse]

Hyperbole at it's finest, lol.

DC/Jones II was in 2017.

I was more hype for a good stylistic matchup for Pereira/Jiri I, and Pereira/Rountree.

 

[BEATDOWNS]

wasn't Pereira weighing like 250 a week ago? lmao

 

[HHJ]

It has to be this way.

If you can't make money you can't have a sport.

Without Big Ank we are all lost!

 

[VAfan]

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

yeah not sure where TS is getting this from really.

 

[HHJ]

Look at these new champs fighting 40 YO dudes that were in their physical prime 10 years ago or more. Barely squeaking by.

Gus had the better TD and was better at mixing things up overall. More dynamic striker than Ank, more disciplined than Jiri. 6ft '5 also.

Just grasping at straws, talking about discipiline and ohh no not 6 ft 5 lmao

Results matter, not discipline.

100% finishing ratio > your made up goalpost movin