Congratulations to Chiesa on a win over a ranked fighter with a big name (former LW champ).
Sorry to learn RDA lost to Chiesa which I did not see, but was a little surprised that he lost given Chiesa was unranked at WW. I've always like RDA as a scrappy hard working and well rounded fighter. I have been thinking for a little while now that RDA might be getting towards the end of his prime or near prime status. He is a 35-year old high-mileage fighter with a lot of wear and tear over 42 fights (29-13). He is kind of undersized for WW at 5-9 and he has been fighting top WW talent ever since he left LW.
Beat Saffiedine, Magny (submission) and Lawler in his first three fights. Then lost to both Covington and Usman by decision (no shame there). Submitted Kevin Lee. Decision losses to Edwards and Chiesa. RDA is 1 - 4 in his last 5 bouts and 4 - 4 at WW overall. I think Father Time is close to knocking on RDA's door and I would rather see older high-mileage fighters leave a little early rather than get CTE on the way out the door. This isn't tennis where if you get demolished 6-0, 6-0, 6-0 you still come home to your family intact rather than visiting the hospital with serious injury after an MMA bout. Father Time comes for everyone eventually. Robbie Lawler (37 YO and 28-14) has dropped off very noticeably since 2016 when he lost the belt to Woodley. And Woodley has perhaps lost his "prime" at age 37 with only 23 fights (19-4) but with lots of outside pursuits (commentator, acting, music, youth wrestling, etc.). Is he still mentally in the game and can he still win fights with his limited gas tank if he isn't super sharp? I think his upcoming fight vs. Edwards fight will be very telling. Lawler had 2 successful title defenses, and Woodley had 3 successful title defenses (not counting the draw vs. Wonderboy).
Sorry to learn RDA lost to Chiesa which I did not see, but was a little surprised that he lost given Chiesa was unranked at WW. I've always like RDA as a scrappy hard working and well rounded fighter. I have been thinking for a little while now that RDA might be getting towards the end of his prime or near prime status. He is a 35-year old high-mileage fighter with a lot of wear and tear over 42 fights (29-13). He is kind of undersized for WW at 5-9 and he has been fighting top WW talent ever since he left LW.
Beat Saffiedine, Magny (submission) and Lawler in his first three fights. Then lost to both Covington and Usman by decision (no shame there). Submitted Kevin Lee. Decision losses to Edwards and Chiesa. RDA is 1 - 4 in his last 5 bouts and 4 - 4 at WW overall. I think Father Time is close to knocking on RDA's door and I would rather see older high-mileage fighters leave a little early rather than get CTE on the way out the door. This isn't tennis where if you get demolished 6-0, 6-0, 6-0 you still come home to your family intact rather than visiting the hospital with serious injury after an MMA bout. Father Time comes for everyone eventually. Robbie Lawler (37 YO and 28-14) has dropped off very noticeably since 2016 when he lost the belt to Woodley. And Woodley has perhaps lost his "prime" at age 37 with only 23 fights (19-4) but with lots of outside pursuits (commentator, acting, music, youth wrestling, etc.). Is he still mentally in the game and can he still win fights with his limited gas tank if he isn't super sharp? I think his upcoming fight vs. Edwards fight will be very telling. Lawler had 2 successful title defenses, and Woodley had 3 successful title defenses (not counting the draw vs. Wonderboy).
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