Hot Take I don't think Merab will ever be the same

[KO Shotz]

GSP was fine after a more embarrassing loss to Serra. He was also fine after getting beat up by Johnny.

 

[RockyLockridge]

Most people didnt think Yan was gonna be shit after his loss to Merab, so Merab shouldnt keep his head down. This is a high level game these two are playin here.

I bet the exact same thread with similar phrasing was made when Yan lost to merab lol.

Some just dont learn.

 

[RockyLockridge]

I do think a blueprint is out on Merab now. It just took Yan to show what works and what doesnt.

Not everyone can has the equipment to carry out that blueprint though

 

[KBE6EKCTAH_CCP]

I do think a blueprint is out on Merab now. It just took Yan to show what works and what doesnt.

I feel the whole merab blueprint thing is completely overblown. Body kicks is that it? Wow what a never seen before technique. BTW i think Yan was beating him up before the leg kicks started.

 

[Cameron]

Thats what it seems like.

When he fought Umar, that fight was fuckin 2-2 until the very last min where Merab just fuckin exploded into Super Saiyan 5 out of nowhere, for no fuckin reason.

I just never see him make crazy in fight adjustments that make me think fight iq

More the idea that almost no one can keep up.

 

[HHJ]

I just never see him make crazy in fight adjustments that make me think fight iq

More the idea that almost no one can keep up.

However, it doesnt mean he and his team cant strategize and adjust gameplan wise to what Yan did to thwart him.

 

[prime_lobov]

The blueprint has always been obvious. Merab has great cardio, so you have to be able to match a high pace, and he spams takedowns, so you need to defend takedowns. And body shots will help that plan - O’Malley landed one good body kick in their first fight that nearly folded Merab.

Problem is it’s easier said than done. One dimensional guys like O’Malley can never implement that gameplan. Yan finally put it all together, thank god. Umar probably would have done it too if not for the broken hand. As merab starts to lose it from age and becomes more injury prone, he’ll start losing more decisions.

 

[Deceasedxo]

When he joined the UFC he went on a skid and then became the best in his weightclass. So if we're going by things that have actually happened, he should come back better than ever. But we'll see.

 

[Benoitthegr8]

Hee could fight Yan again with adjustments and should be close, I honestly think Yan just outperformed Merab this time. The 3rd fight should also be extremely difficult and close.

 

[Boomb]

With the elite training partners like in this video, he's on his way to become THE GOAT:

 

[jeff7b9]

He was comfortably ahead of the division a month ago.
Lapping it.

He fought his 4th fight in 2025, 4th camp, 4th weight cut,
62 day turnaround

Lost.

So healthy Petr Yan can beat a shop worn Merab. Cool.

Now they will run it back and with any luck Merab will be less worn out.

He wins that and the only threat is a guy he already beat.

Granted age is not on his side.
But merab is 2 win over guys he already beat away from having the division cleaned out again.

Let's see how his next fight goes. That (Yan 2) could have been the overly aggressive bad decision that made him turn old or it could have been a bump in the road.

 

[bmxkeeler]

Once you show that you are beatable then it's really hard to keep that level of confidence. I'm not sure there are many UFC fighters that loss their title, gained it back then went right back to having long title defenses. I think even if he beats Yan in the rematch, people are realizing that the perfect way to take him down is through body shots.

Nunes, Pereira, Couture, GSP, Stipe, Yan, and others have all done it. It is not shocking that the guy with 5 losses is beatable.

 

[AL-Tappo McSnappo]

Once you show that you are beatable then it's really hard to keep that level of confidence. I'm not sure there are many UFC fighters that loss their title, gained it back then went right back to having long title defenses. I think even if he beats Yan in the rematch, people are realizing that the perfect way to take him down is through body shots.

He will always be the same

 

[bjjwar]

Once you show that you are beatable then it's really hard to keep that level of confidence. I'm not sure there are many UFC fighters that loss their title, gained it back then went right back to having long title defenses. I think even if he beats Yan in the rematch, people are realizing that the perfect way to take him down is through body shots.

He lost before and had worse fights then that. Marlon Moraes KO'ed and dropped him like 7 times in 5min and Merab went on a run and still beat him that night. He has that kind of never give up warrior mentality.

 

[nostradumbass]

GSP was fine after a more embarrassing loss to Serra. He was also fine after getting beat up by Johnny.

GSP was 25 years old, Merab is 35 in like 2 weeks. GSP also left the sport for 4 years after getting roughed up by Hendricks.

 

[Viking Power]

Nah. He’ll be fine. This isn’t like Dricus looking like a fish out of water vs. khamzat. Merab did well but Yan fought a perfect fight.

 

[Pancake Sprawl]

I think even if he beats Yan in the rematch, people are realizing that the perfect way to take him down is through body shots.

they knew it from the first fight with O'Malley and it took them this long before someone finally tried another body shot on him. i don't think Merab has to worry too much.

 

[froggyluv]

With the elite training partners like in this video, he's on his way to become THE GOAT:

Billionaires training MMA to really feel like a "Top Sigma/Alpha" whilst they have their $100,000,000 private army on their property perimeter and a full 24/7 hr. troll farm in China/Russia

 

[Kevin Sorbo]

Maybe, but Yan and maybe Umar are the only people that have a good shot against him IMO.

 

[KO Shotz]

GSP was 25 years old, Merab is 35 in like 2 weeks. GSP also left the sport for 4 years after getting roughed up by Hendricks.

Still was successful after both bouts.