War Wagon Four big fights to make at WW since UFC 322

[Adamant]

Islam vs Morales - Morales is 19-0 (7-0 UFC) and is red hot. Now is the perfect time to give him a title shot. He finished his last 3 fights all via tko and just seems like he's peaking. I would favor Islam, but Morales has more than earned his shot. With his striking, height and reach, he has a real chance at catching Islam on the feet. Do it now. Maybe they can get it done before ramadan. But this is the fight they need to make to capitalize on Morales' momentum.

Shavkat vs Prates - Shavkat is the rightful #1 contender having earned a title shot TWICE now (without actually having been given the shots). But he's been out for a year with injury (more than a year by the time he fights again) and ring rust is a real thing. I wouldn't want to put him in with the toughest matchup in the division for his first fight back. So give him an easier, yet still tough, first fight back. And if he wins, then finally give him his long awaited title shot. Prates is 13-1 in his last 14 (6-1 UFC) and could be close to a title shot himself with a win over Shavkat. I would favor Shavkat, but it's not a gimme.

Garry vs JDM - Ian Machado Garry is 17-1 (10-1 UFC) and right on the cusp of getting his own shot. He could be next up, but I don't think he should be. Morales is the one right now, and if Shavkat can get in there and get another win, then he should follow. Which would put Garry potentially 3rd in line. So what better than to put him against the former champion who just lost the belt but was coming off 10 years undefeated. Garry needs a win to get a title shot. JDM needs a win to get back to the title. Both guys' last win was against Belal. Both guys are solid. Both guys are dangerous. It's a great fight. I'm not sure who I'd favor in this one. Maybe Garry, but it wouldn't be by much.

Brady vs Usman - Brady just lost and Marty is 1-3 in this last 4. Neither of them should be anywhere near a title shot, and both guys NEED to win to stay relevant. I would favor Usman but I think it's a fun fight. Both needing a win makes it interesting. I know there's talk of Usman maybe fighting Islam next, but I don't really see that happening. It would be crazy if it did as Usman doesn't deserve it. So fight Brady instead, either right before ramadan or right after. Get an impressive win and then maybe realistic talk of the title can come.

 

[whocares]

Morales is going to be JDM 2.0 all over again, not sure the appeal to rush him into getting blanketed. Match him with shavkat its exactly what they both need and winner gets next. Garry has earned the ts as much as Shav/Morales and has a good pedigree in theory to outpoint Islam. Longshot but its there. JDM Prates has fight of the year written all over it. Do it your way and I'm fine with that too. I really want to see Belal Usman but brady works for Usman. Many ways to crack an egg in this division. For once we are bless

 

[balkanbomber85]

TS, I like those matchups, but based on how I know my Shermanos I will bet that a representative share of recommendations will be to match up the most dangerous guys against each other while having only Gramps Kamarudeen Usman as only option for Islame....

 

[Luthien]

Bet it will still be Usman next. Ali wants a double payday

 

[AL-Tappo McSnappo]

Islam vs Morales - Morales is 19-0 (7-0 UFC) and is red hot. Now is the perfect time to give him a title shot. He finished his last 3 fights all via tko and just seems like he's peaking. I would favor Islam, but Morales has more than earned his shot. With his striking, height and reach, he has a real chance at catching Islam on the feet. Do it now. Maybe they can get it done before ramadan. But this is the fight they need to make to capitalize on Morales' momentum.

Shavkat vs Prates - Shavkat is the rightful #1 contender having earned a title shot TWICE now (without actually having been given the shots). But he's been out for a year with injury (more than a year by the time he fights again) and ring rust is a real thing. I wouldn't want to put him in with the toughest matchup in the division for his first fight back. So give him an easier, yet still tough, first fight back. And if he wins, then finally give him his long awaited title shot. Prates is 13-1 in his last 14 (6-1 UFC) and could be close to a title shot himself with a win over Shavkat. I would favor Shavkat, but it's not a gimme.

Garry vs JDM - Ian Machado Garry is 17-1 (10-1 UFC) and right on the cusp of getting his own shot. He could be next up, but I don't think he should be. Morales is the one right now, and if Shavkat can get in there and get another win, then he should follow. Which would put Garry potentially 3rd in line. So what better than to put him against the former champion who just lost the belt but was coming off 10 years undefeated. Garry needs a win to get a title shot. JDM needs a win to get back to the title. Both guys' last win was against Belal. Both guys are solid. Both guys are dangerous. It's a great fight. I'm not sure who I'd favor in this one. Maybe Garry, but it wouldn't be by much.

Brady vs Usman - Brady just lost and Marty is 1-3 in this last 4. Neither of them should be anywhere near a title shot, and both guys NEED to win to stay relevant. I would favor Usman but I think it's a fun fight. Both needing a win makes it interesting. I know there's talk of Usman maybe fighting Islam next, but I don't really see that happening. It would be crazy if it did as Usman doesn't deserve it. So fight Brady instead, either right before ramadan or right after. Get an impressive win and then maybe realistic talk of the title can come.

Those are good fights but unfortunately Morales doesn't know how to sell a fight, Ian is winning the PR war to get the title shot

 

[Koya]

Morales is going to be JDM 2.0 all over again, not sure the appeal to rush him into getting blanketed. Match him with shavkat its exactly what they both need and winner gets next. Garry has earned the ts as much as Shav/Morales and has a good pedigree in theory to outpoint Islam. Longshot but its there. JDM Prates has fight of the year written all over it. Do it your way and I'm fine with that too. I really want to see Belal Usman but brady works for Usman. Many ways to crack an egg in this division. For once we are bless

Because right now he's the legacy fight for Makhachev who is ducking the legendary Ecuadorian wrestling of Morales.

But as soon as Makhachev beats him then he was never that good anyway and Makhachev was just looking for an easy fight against a Latin American fighter who can't grapple.

 

[RockyLockridge]

Morales is going to be JDM 2.0 all over again, not sure the appeal to rush him into getting blanketed.

he's earned it

Those are good fights but unfortunately Morales doesn't know how to sell a fight, Ian is winning the PR war to get the title shot

If the fights did the talking, garry wouldn't be getting shit

 

[RockyLockridge]

Because right now he's the legacy fight for Makhachev who is ducking the legendary Ecuadorian wrestling of Morales.

But as soon as Makhachev beats him then he was never that good anyway and Makhachev was just looking for an easy fight against a Latin American fighter who can't grapple.

lol you people are ridiculous.

I hate the way sherdoggers try to do "competitive" match making rather than merit based match making.

It doesn't matter if morales is easier than usman. Morales deserves it more. so it should go to him.

 

[mangokush]

Ian vs Usman for title eliminator
Morales vs Jdm
Prates vs Belal
Shavkat vs Brady when shavkat returns
Buckley vs Leon

 

[usernamee]

Poor Garry has to beat every single top WW before getting his title shot huh

 

[Kenny Powerth]

If Shavy isn't back then the TS should be Gary's imo

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

lol you people are ridiculous.

I hate the way sherdoggers try to do "competitive" match making rather than merit based match making.

It doesn't matter if morales is easier than usman. Morales deserves it more. so it should go to him.

They say no one deserves the shot to justify their champ’s inactivity.

 

[svmr_db]

Usman's next fight should be against a top contender to earn himself a title shot, not a guy who just got knocked out & isn't in the top 5.

 

[bjjwar]

Bet it will still be Usman next. Ali wants a double payday

Tbf prime Usman would be a nightmare for Islam and yes, he’s washed and lost alot of fights and doesnt deserve a ts, but i still think he can give Islam alot of problems unlike a bum like JDM who has the grappling level of a 3 yr old child.

 

[bjjwar]

Poor Garry has to beat every single top WW before getting his title shot huh

Well he did lose to Shavkat and looks mediocre in all of his fights. He would already have gotten a shot if he was destroying and finishing other fighters out there.

 

[usernamee]

Well he did lose to Shavkat and looks mediocre in all of his fights. He would already have gotten a shot if he was destroying and finishing other fighters out there.

He's still winning though. And Shavkat fight was on short notice, it was a competitive fight and Ian was the one who was closest to finishing that fight at one point.

If Shavkat was ready to go sure but the dude has had back to back knee surgeries and been out for God knows how long. Not even sure if he's even ready anytime soon. So logical next guy would be Ian then.

Edit: To be clear, I'd prefer to watch Morales vs Islam just because Morales has a chance of putting Islam out where that chance is minimal with Garry. But if we're talking earned and deserved it's gotta be Garry at this point.

 

[Koya]

lol you people are ridiculous.

I hate the way sherdoggers try to do "competitive" match making rather than merit based match making.

It doesn't matter if morales is easier than usman. Morales deserves it more. so it should go to him.

And then when he loses he was never that good and Makhachev ducked Usman who's an all-american wrestler that would have stuffed his takedowns and instead chose an Ecuadorian grappler and yada yada

We know the story

 

[Koya]

They say no one deserves the shot to justify their champ’s inactivity.

Makhachev fought two weeks ago

I'm fine with Morales if you guys want it so bad just don't pretend you knew it would happen and it was sure it was an easy fight when he gets subbed in two rounds by Makhachev. That's one of the most predictable results ever.

 

[Koala]

Makhachev vs Garry and Prates on the same night
Never done in the UFC
Morales vs Shavkat
Usman vs Giacomo
Masvidal vs Edwards
Belal vs Colby

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

Makhachev fought two weeks ago

I'm fine with Morales if you guys want it so bad just don't pretend you knew it would happen and it was sure it was an easy fight when he gets subbed in two rounds by Makhachev. That's one of the most predictable results ever.

More immediately applicable to Khamzat, but it’s the same fanbase. Don’t be surprised!