For people who think Merab can beat Umar

@Eric Silva 2.0

That's exactly what I was trying to explain to you earlier in this thread in regards to Merab's pressure and cardio being more than just good or even great. He's literally one of one. He broke a younger, supremely talented Dagestani kid who hadn't shown even a hint of having cardio issues previously. (And who comes from a camp and lineage of guys with good cardio).

Skills, athletic ability, etc become completely secondary when you're being drowned by someone with a previously unseen ability to apply relentless pressure. I've done the drills in camp where you have a fresh guy thrown at you every 5 minutes to try to emulate what it's like to have to try to fight while gassed. And it sucks. After awhile you're only thinking "how long until this is over?" And that's what fighting Merab for 5 rounds has to be like.

In s
@Eric Silva 2.0

That's exactly what I was trying to explain to you earlier in this thread in regards to Merab's pressure and cardio being more than just good or even great. He's literally one of one. He broke a younger, supremely talented Dagestani kid who hadn't shown even a hint of having cardio issues previously. (And who comes from a camp and lineage of guys with good cardio).

Skills, athletic ability, etc become completely secondary when you're being drowned by someone with a previously unseen ability to apply relentless pressure. I've done the drills in camp where you have a fresh guy thrown at you every 5 minutes to try to emulate what it's like to have to try to fight while gassed. And it sucks. After awhile you're only thinking "how long until this is over?" And that's what fighting Merab for 5 rounds has to be like.

In short, an 11 may even be too low for a grade on Merab's cardio LOL. Dude is just a unicorn. Nothing to compare him to.
I'd still give Merab a 10 but would lower Umar to 7 or 8. I agree that cardio and pace were most important but I think you are undervaluing Merab's grappling and boxing.

I am very familiar with drills you are talking about. My son was a youth and high school wrestler. I've been in many wrestling rooms and I've seen that type of training. I would say the only difference would be that i've seen the drill where you just get one partner after another in succession with no breaks. So i've seen it but never lived it.
 
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But Umar proved that he belongs.
My picks got fucked by favourites like talbot and rosas

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I am very familiar with drills you are talking about. My son was a youth and high school wrestler. I've been in many wrestling rooms and I've seen that type of training. I would say the only difference would be that i've seen the drill where you just get one partner after another in succession with no breaks. So i've seen it but never lived it.
Well, they suck haha. I mean, they're good training but by the end you're doing nothing but trying to survive.

We called it the meat grinder. And then it got shortened to MG. And whoever camp it was on the days we did it would get shit leading up to it. The other guys would smile and be like "MG day buddy, ya ready??"

Something tells me that when Merab does it, somehow he's the one not breathing hard at the end and he's got 6 guys all exhausted surrounding him LOL. Guy is a mutant.
 
What are you seeing that I'm not seing?

His only strength is the cardio/Wrestling/Pressure.
He is not going to outgrapple Umar, and Umar is going to pick him apart from the outside.

Merab has litereally NOTHING for Umar striking wise. The only way is the get to the inside and try to wrestle someone who has titanium wrestling skills.
We talk about cardio. But cardio is directly connected with your confidence. Once Merab lose the confidence behind the "how to break my opponent", I'm very curious to see how much his cardio is going to hold, while getting head/body kicked back and forth.

You can only see when you open your eyes
 
What are you seeing that I'm not seing?

His only strength is the cardio/Wrestling/Pressure.
He is not going to outgrapple Umar, and Umar is going to pick him apart from the outside.

Merab has litereally NOTHING for Umar striking wise. The only way is the get to the inside and try to wrestle someone who has titanium wrestling skills.
We talk about cardio. But cardio is directly connected with your confidence. Once Merab lose the confidence behind the "how to break my opponent", I'm very curious to see how much his cardio is going to hold, while getting head/body kicked back and forth.
Nice nice
 
He doesn't have to out grapple him or even take him down once. Remember what Merab did to Aldo and Yan. Even if he fails on a takedown attempt, he immediately goes to punch and clinch. He will push you against the fence and hit you with 10 rabbit punches, attempt a single leg, even if you stuff it he is punching you some more and back to pushing you against the fence. He chews up time, takes away from his opponent's offensive opportunities. Merab doesn't have to even hurt Umar or even take him down once. He will hold Umar against the fence and land more strikes every round. Merab is a master at this game plan. We have seen it so many times. He out works everyone. His cardio is some of the greatest we have ever seen in the sport. I know people that train with him and they say he trains all day. He is an animal and has built up legendary cardio
This was a good comment
 
More battle tested against tough opponents, gas tank, Umar hasn't done anything to let me know he is the better grappler for sure, Merab can negate some of his kicks with threat of takedown and round stealing.

Umar is the favorite but there is a path for Merab. Who is the best high pressure wrestler Umar has fought in MMA?
Like my guys Merab said. Don't Let Anyone Bully You! +245 win in the books.
 
Without reading through the thread im sure there are a lot of "this aged like milk" comments.
Yes, and rightfully so
Everything you said was accurate lol.
No
Merab couldn't take Umar down
He took him down 7 times
, got roughed up in the striking
No
, had his back taken and was controlled a good bit for the first half.
And then what happened?
I really didn't think a member of Khabibs team would gas as badly as Umar did....it was really ridiculous to see.
Yeah, he just gassed for no reason....
Like the guy thought this was a 3 rounder. If he had even slightly better cardio, yes he beats Merab.
Well, he didn't.


This thread aged like milk.
 
"I think Umar will destroy Merab everywhere.".

Although I agree with your assessment of cardio, now I would rate Merab 10 which I changed mine to before the fight and I'd give Umar a 7 or 8. I would adjust a few of my other rankings but I gave you who would win and even the scores before the fight. I think you underestimated Merab's wrestling and striking. Umar is clearly the better striker but the gap isn't that wide. Umar is light years ahead kicking but the boxing is very close. Merab's wrestling nullified the kicking game and the wrestling was cancelling each other out in the beginning of the fight. Umar was ahead after the first two rounds (I had Umar winning both rounds and Merab winning the last 3). Umar's striking was the difference in the first 2 rounds. In the 3rd, Merab started to turn the tide due to cardio. My point is Merab isn't only cardio and pace. If he didn't have the other skills, Umar might have been taking Merab down and controlling him or hurting Merab. Merab hung in there and was competitive until his pace took over.

Hey that was fun before the fight with that breakdown. Definitely going to have to revise how I rate fighters. I didn't know how Merab would melt Umar. You were right about striking and wrestling being higher for Merab, I was wrong about Umar's cardio.

Only thing I was spot on was Merab's cardio being number 1 factor. However a fresh Umar seemed to follow my expectations for his striking and wrestling. After his gas was gone both skills dropped hard and Merab just melted Umar everywhere. Good fight to showcase deadly cardio. Maybe one day we can get a rematch, but Umar has to earn it with at least 2 more wins.
 
Yes, and rightfully so

No

He took him down 7 times

No

And then what happened?

Yeah, he just gassed for no reason....

Well, he didn't.


This thread aged like milk.
You put a lot of time into this, Bunny!
 
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