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I was pretty much with you until you mentioned that fraud NiCAN
Chimaev had his highest output in round 3 vs Burns, the pace overall in that fight was ridiculous.They're both on the tail ends of their careers and have a lot more mileage than Chimaev though + they fight way more regularly.
They didn't really look that gassed until after 2.5 rounds. Chimaev didn't look amazing in the 3rd round of a 3 round fight against Burns. He carries a lot of muscle. I think he'd struggle if he ever has to go into the 5th.
Oh, and RDR sorta has shit cardio anyway. He gets tired quick, but only to a point and then he sorta just stays at there instead of failing completely and becoming useless lol. Lots of fighters are like that, I guess.
This narrative about Dricus having endless cardio and never getting tired is becoming a bit overstated.
It's also based mostly on fights where he had the takedown threat in his favor.
He gassed and lost round 2 vs Till, is one example. Then finished him in round 3.
He looked gassed and sloppy vs Brunson after a lot of grappling. Finished him later in round 2.
He lost round 3 to Izzy, huffing and puffing after failing takedowns, he lost round 5 to Strickland. Finished Izzy in round 4, went to decisions with Strickland.
I think both of them have a very good ability to keep fighting and stay effective even while they are tired.
They might have a round or a minute or so where they look spent, but they then catch a second and third wind.
They don't look to pace themselves for a decision, they both aim to get their opponent out of there.
I much prefer this style of fighting compared to fighters who are scared to invest the energy needed to finish the fight.
Athletically, I think both of them are very strong but I would definitely give the speed and agility advantage to Khamzat, and I could see that coming into play in the wrestling/grappling exchanges.
The difference with Chimaev is that he will deliver effective strikes once he takes the back that allow him to work to the rnc. He doesn't necessarily just start hunting the rnc immediately. He softens the opponent up, hits them with hard shots that make them have to move, adjust, defend the strikes. Which means they aren’t solely focused on fighting the hands.
This narrative about Dricus having endless cardio and never getting tired is becoming a bit overstated.
It's also based mostly on fights where he had the takedown threat in his favor.
He gassed and lost round 2 vs Till, is one example. Then finished him in round 3.
He looked gassed and sloppy vs Brunson after a lot of grappling. Finished him later in round 2.
He lost round 3 to Izzy, huffing and puffing after failing takedowns, he lost round 5 to Strickland. Finished Izzy in round 4, went to decisions with Strickland.
I think both of them have a very good ability to keep fighting and stay effective even while they are tired.
They might have a round or a minute or so where they look spent, but they then catch a second and third wind.
They don't look to pace themselves for a decision, they both aim to get their opponent out of there.
I much prefer this style of fighting compared to fighters who are scared to invest the energy needed to finish the fight.
Athletically, I think both of them are very strong but I would definitely give the speed and agility advantage to Khamzat, and I could see that coming into play in the wrestling/grappling exchanges.
Dricus has looked a lot better since he got his nose fixed. He was having issues with that but it seems to be resolved now. I wouldn't take too much from those early UFC fights in regards to cardio. Now, getting taken down by Brunson is a concern and things that happened in those fights.This narrative about Dricus having endless cardio and never getting tired is becoming a bit overstated.
It's also based mostly on fights where he had the takedown threat in his favor.
He gassed and lost round 2 vs Till, is one example. Then finished him in round 3.
He looked gassed and sloppy vs Brunson after a lot of grappling. Finished him later in round 2.
He lost round 3 to Izzy, huffing and puffing after failing takedowns, he lost round 5 to Strickland. Finished Izzy in round 4, went to decisions with Strickland.
I think both of them have a very good ability to keep fighting and stay effective even while they are tired.
They might have a round or a minute or so where they look spent, but they then catch a second and third wind.
They don't look to pace themselves for a decision, they both aim to get their opponent out of there.
I much prefer this style of fighting compared to fighters who are scared to invest the energy needed to finish the fight.
Athletically, I think both of them are very strong but I would definitely give the speed and agility advantage to Khamzat, and I could see that coming into play in the wrestling/grappling exchanges.
That's what everyone does nowadays, that's nothing special. Khamzat is good with it sure, but to take out DDP with it?
He couldn't get Usman with it and he realistically wasn't looking like he was gonna get Whittaker with it either but Whittaker shit teeth broke.
I'll be happy so long as he doesn't leave us hanging.The Great African Chad is going to rip this guy apart.
That's what everyone does nowadays, that's nothing special. Khamzat is good with it sure, but to take out DDP with it?
He couldn't get Usman with it and he realistically wasn't looking like he was gonna get Whittaker with it either but Whittaker shit teeth broke.
That's true, but I do think that he will get more tired from having to wrestle/grapple with Khamzat compared to striking with Strickland and Izzy.Dricus has looked a lot better since he got his nose fixed. He was having issues with that but it seems to be resolved now. I wouldn't take too much from those early UFC fights in regards to cardio. Now, getting taken down by Brunson is a concern and things that happened in those fights.
You have to keep in mind, Khamzat is a big guy too and he'll be affected by the same things. Covid really fucked that guy up, enough to the point he thought he was going to have to retire. Maybe he's back better than ever, but he hasn't been pushed to really deep waters either.That's true, but I do think that he will get more tired from having to wrestle/grapple with Khamzat compared to striking with Strickland and Izzy.
Logically, a guy with that much muscle mass shouldn't enjoy having to wrestle for an extended period of time.
It's draining, even for someone with above average cardio.
I was also annoyed by people pretending Dricus had bad cardio.I don't really agree, I think for a long time the commentators would tell us Dricus looked tired or was gassing because he started breathing through his mouth quite early on in fights, but at the same time I remember sitting there thinking... but he's clearly not slowing down?
He is awkward, he looks sloppy, but the man's a brute - and I honestly think Khamzat is levels below him in terms of cardio.
We'll see who gets it right the longer it goes (unless Khamzat scores an R1 finish, in which case that was kinda the other likely outcome).
Dricus is not at the level of Usman in wrestling nor grapplling nor will he learn the amount of knowledge Usman has in just one camp. Kamaru has been wrestling and grappling his whole life.
And he got away with a hail marry.. Chimaev´s most sub is not even RNC. Dricus will make an error as he is prone to it mark my words. He will sprawle into something and Chimaev will make him pay immediately
Dricus has been wrestling and grappling most of his life too. I don't think knowledge is going to be any sort of problem. Execution and dealing with someone like Khamzat is the problem.Dricus is not at the level of Usman in wrestling nor grapplling nor will he learn the amount of knowledge Usman has in just one camp. Kamaru has been wrestling and grappling his whole life.
And he got away with a hail marry.. Chimaev´s most sub is not even RNC. Dricus will make an error as he is prone to it mark my words. He will sprawle into something and Chimaev will make him pay immediately
I'm really looking forward to seeing how the fight plays out if it goes to the later rounds.You have to keep in mind, Khamzat is a big guy too and he'll be affected by the same things. Covid really fucked that guy up, enough to the point he thought he was going to have to retire. Maybe he's back better than ever, but he hasn't been pushed to really deep waters either.
I'm really looking forward to seeing how the fight plays out if it goes to the later rounds.
My prediction in that case is a war, and I will be a bit worried about Dricus finishing Khamzat from out of nowhere.
I still think we can have close rounds and that takedowns/grappling will be a factor even in the later rounds.
Khamzat is also big, true, but he's slightly taller and less muscular, especially his upper body.
I think Dricus fights at around 215 lbs and Khamzat at 205ish.
I have some faith that Khamzat is no longer overtraining as badly as before, which is something he admitted to causing him to always get sick during training camps before.
What if Dricus excepts the TD and pulls guard. How does Chimaev work from there?The difference with Chimaev is that he will deliver effective strikes once he takes the back that allow him to work to the rnc. He doesn't necessarily just start hunting the rnc immediately. He softens the opponent up, hits them with hard shots that make them have to move, adjust, defend the strikes. Which means they aren’t solely focused on fighting the hands.
I agree that locking in a quick rnc in modern MMA (vs a high level opponent) is difficult. But Chimaev builds to his. It can still be defended, but it's much tougher vs him than vs most guys. Even vs other elite grapplers.