He looks exactly like his 'old self'. I've said it a million times already and I'll say it again - Junior's problem is that he never evolved. He has relied on the same shit basically since day one. Yes, he was a little better many years ago because he threw legitimate combinations, but for the most part he still relied on the same set ups and ended his attack after the same shots almost every time. The issue is that his opponents have figured him out and know how to take advantage of his biggest hole(s), which is pushing him to the fence and throwing combinations since Junior for some reason loves to drop his hands at the fence and move his head thinking he's prime Roy Jones Jr.
Why he still hasn't improved much on his ability to circle from the fence in time before getting cut off and tagged up, why he hasn't truly improved his counter striking ability while moving backwards (very difficult thing to improve on for some, it's not easy to do at all), why he keeps dropping his hands at the fence, why he's still relying on the same set ups and ending attacks the same way, I really don't know. If Junior doesn't really start changing things up with his attack and just keeps doing the same things, he'll never win the belt again and things are honestly just going to get worse for him.
He has the potential to become champion again if he starts doing different things. He needs to mix his strikes up more with kicks. He needs to update his fucking footwork. He needs to update his fucking counter ability while moving backwards. He needs to keep his goddamn hands up, especially at the fence. He needs to do more than jab, jab, overhand - jab, jab, uppercut - straight right to body, left hook to head - check hook - jab, straight right (1-2) - jab to body - and that's pretty much it. That's like 90% of his attacks and his opponents have figured it out. He never evolved and unfortunately, he most likely never will because he should have after the 3rd Cain fight at least.
It seems he still very much has the same issues. The damage is finally adding up. Skillwise, he's actually better than ever, but IMO I don't think by all that much because he's still doing too much of the same things. He's not as fast/explosive as he used to be, that could be due to the damage and also aging. Overall, Junior actually is still very much the same fighter. He hasn't actually gotten worse. He's the same, he's just been figured out. He's become way too predictable. Both Cain and Stipe knew exactly how to beat him. That was the problem. They knew exactly what to expect and took complete advantage of it and they destroyed him for it.
Obviously some won't agree with this, but seriously watch over all of his fights. He relies on the same attacks. He has the same exact holes today that he did back in 2011 n shit. Junior hasn't evolved at all and that's why he's losing. It's not because he left his prime, it's because his opponents know exactly what the fuck he's bringing to the table and what he isn't bringing to the table. I'm a big fan of Junior and always have been and always will be, but it's sad to see him barely making any changes. A fighter of his level and potential, the guy has more potential than practically everybody in the division but it's like he's not learning anything new at all. He's stuck in the same routine and has been forever and that's why he's losing.
/rant
