How bout Izzy vs Jiri next?

[Koro_11]

Would be cool to watch Poatans two sons battle it out.

But on a serious note, this would be a super cool Fight stylistically. Also, it makes a lot of sense when looking at both of their trajectories at the moment, two guys that wore titles not long ago, but find themselves in a slump.

When I look at the middleweight division, I don’t see lot of fresh intriguing matchups for Izzy, unless you’re talking about Chimaev.

Izzy versus Jiri is super interesting, the anime geek versus the pseudo samurai, a lot of fancy striking, a lot of spinning shit, super cool matchup for the fans.

Would you be down?

 

[Poirierfan]

I'd be down, but Izzy needs someone a little less dangerous so to get some confidence back imo (and at 185 lbs).

 

[DS66]

Would be a fun fight, but I don't think Izzy should go up to 205. He doesn't cut much to get down to 185, he's very undersized and under-strengthed at 205 as we saw in his fight vs Jan. I think he needs his next fight to be against a bit lower level of competition at 185 to get a W and get his confidence back.

 

[ArtardFiesta]

interesting fight. i think izzy wins because jiri is following the diego sanchez/tony ferguson career path to fighting

 

[Koro_11]

I'd be down, but Izzy needs someone a little less dangerous so to get some confidence back imo (and at 185 lbs).

If he was in his 20s and he was just a young guy that needed to reset and rebuild himself I would agree with you.

But I don’t think fighting some dude outside the top five makes any sense for Izzy at this point in his career, he’s probably only got a couple of years left and I just want to see him in high profile exciting fights.

I would also agree with you if he looked like shit against DDP and just got his ass handed to him, but he actually looked very good and I think he’s still elite with his abilities.

Jiri is indeed a dangerous opponent, but I would still consider Izzy a slight favourite since there is not much danger of him getting grappled.

 

[Poirierfan]

interesting fight. i think izzy wins because jiri is following the diego sanchez/tony ferguson career path to fighting

This is true.

 

[Poirierfan]

If he was in his 20s and he was just a young guy that needed to reset and rebuild himself I would agree with you.

But I don’t think fighting some dude outside the top five makes any sense for Izzy at this point in his career, he’s probably only got a couple of years left and I just want to see him in high profile exciting fights.

I would also agree with you if he looked like shit against DDP and just got his ass handed to him, but he actually looked very good and I think he’s still elite with his abilities.

Jiri is indeed a dangerous opponent, but I would still consider Izzy a slight favourite since there is not much danger of him getting grappled.

Good point, I hadn't thought of his age and the long layoff. Izzy being undersized would be the only concern really, 185 is the perfect fit for him.

 

[MisfitsBR]

Good idea.

If Jiri wins he can ask for a title shot or be close.

If Adesanya wins, he can retire in a fashion way... or ask for the title too.

 

[Dana's Conscience]

Izzy's one of those guys who's perfect for one weight class and doesn't belong anywhere else

 

[Bork Neslar]

They fight at different weight classes, so no. It's a stupid idea.

 

[SirRealKiller]

Would be a fun fight, but I don't think Izzy should go up to 205. He doesn't cut much to get down to 185, he's very undersized and under-strengthed at 205 as we saw in his fight vs Jan. I think he needs his next fight to be against a bit lower level of competition at 185 to get a W and get his confidence back.

Izzy is tall but has a narrow frame, so even though he might be as tall as Peirera he's not going to do as well moving up.

 

[mkt]

interesting fight. i think izzy wins because jiri is following the diego sanchez/tony ferguson career path to fighting

Likely unless Jiri does some wrestling. He's not a great grappler but should have some success with mediocre wrestling + a big size/strength advantage.

If he just throws wild haymakers and a little spinning stuff, he probably gets outpointed pretty easily. He has a puncher's chance, but I'd bet on Izzy in a pure striking match.

 

[PeterGriffin]

I'd be down, but Izzy needs someone a little less dangerous so to get some confidence back imo (and at 185 lbs).

Would be a fun fight, but I don't think Izzy should go up to 205. He doesn't cut much to get down to 185, he's very undersized and under-strengthed at 205 as we saw in his fight vs Jan. I think he needs his next fight to be against a bit lower level of competition at 185 to get a W and get his confidence back.

Michel Pereira or MVP (at 185lbs) would be fun fights.

 

[filthybliss]

Does Jiri want to dehydrate to MW, I don't see Izzy wanting to bump up to LHW

 

[El Fernas]

Adesanya doesnt seem to suffer to make 185lbs despite probably being the tallest guy in the division, wouldnt mind if he gets a high profile fight at LHW, its not like he hasnt tried to get the LHW belt before...Jiri likes to strike and its aggressive enough to play into Adesanya´s game, book it, not many interesting non rematch fights left at MW for him, Chimaev? The guy is aiming for the title not the former champion unless he absolutely has to, Allen? Sure, like i said, not many new matchups for him, he is in Max Holloway territory, the guy got enough title fights already, beats everyone else (most likely), he has to do what Holloway did, take a high profile fight in the division above, win that in impressive fashion, all doors will open.

 

[Poirierfan]

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Michel Pereira or MVP (at 185lbs) would be fun fight

They have a thread suggesting MVP, either guy would be super interesting and fun as hell imo.

 

[PeterGriffin]

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They have a thread suggesting MVP, either guy would be super interesting and fun as hell imo.

Johnny Walker would be a very winnable fight for Adesanya too.

 

[contrail]

Jiri's too big, fairly fast, and with a good chin (assuming it's not dust from the Alex KO). Not very compelling.

 

[blaseblase]

Who on earth wants to see Izzy at 205? He's lost twice in a row.

 

[bng]

jiri easily eating everything and fight goes on until first connect from prochazka
basically jiri-rakic-2