Rumored Michael Morales vs Jack Della - UFC:White House - Jun 14

[Safton]

I think JDM is being undersold due to recency bias by some. Morales is a good wrestler-killer; his striking is dangerous but nothing special on a technical basis. He gets by on having absurd reach, above-average power, and a serviceable jab that he relies heavily on.

JDM might not be as physically gifted as Morales, but I think he's way more crafty of a striker. And unlike his TDD, Michael's offensive grappling hasn't scaled up particularly well against elite competition. I don't think either guy will commit heavily to wrestling the other nor have much success if they attempt it. As such it'll come down to a contest of Michael's athletic X-factors versus Jack's skill as a technician and I think that's a striking war either man could conceivably win.

 

[Orochimaru 大蛇丸]

Sure, however, the one win is his latest fight which is certainly more positive as opposed to losing 3 in a row. And context matters in those fights as well. A pure domination of Leon for nearly 5 rounds ill he let his defense slip, and then two MD losses to Leon and Khamzat (very short notice a division up). And then a pretty clear win. So Usman is still looking pretty good. Usman has only dropped those two title fights at WW in his UFC career.

I love the Shavkat match up myself and always thought that's the fight to make. But he hasn't fought in over a year and prior to that, another year. I think that Usman winning 6 months ago, along with being what many see the second best WW of all time and his legacy is enough to give him the fight.

I think Morales is a very good fight too, but I think he needs another W.

Fair argument

The only thing I will add, is if you lay out Usman's last 4 fights without the context of time then, yeah he's coming off a win, then a loss against Khamzat which really sells the fight more if anything considering it's Khamzat on a week's notice and Usman did well, then a pretty clear loss to Leon, then the head kick loss... and before that he's on probably the second best run at WW of all time

But the Khamzat fight would have been almost three years prior by the time he fights Islam, Usman will be 39 years old... you can make the argument I guess, in large part due to legacy, which imo shouldn't be valued highly, and if you take legacy out of it he's coming off a win against Buckley... that's all he has done that's really relevant to where he's at now

Also Shavkat and Morales are just far more interesting matchups to me, I have a doubt in my mind Islam will win in those... with Usman, I just don't think someone as good as Islam is losing to anyone that far out of their prime

I will say I did forget Shavkat didn't fight for a year before Garry which is definitely a problem

 

[Dagestanaev]

Hell of a fight for a main card opener or prelim.

Confirms Usman vs Islam?!

Thoughts?

It's main card.

Prelims is Cutelaba - Johnny Walker 2

 

[El Fernas]

Morales isnt the one, its going to be Usman, no way its Prates and they might want to keep Ian Garry away.

 

[Kwic]

What happened with all fights are title fights rumor and the only Americans rumor?
Great fight though if it happens.

 

[JKS]

If they do Islam/Usman I'm about to skip the main event and just watch everything else

I think it's gonna be Garry but the event after White House

 

[Portland8242]

One thing that worries me about Morales is that giant weight cut he does might make him a bit chinny in a fight.

 

[Dionysian]

I don't understand why everyone is saying JDM vs Morales would mean that Islam vs Usman is a foregone conclusion.

That doesn't really make any sense in a world where Ilia + Garry + Prates all exist.

 

[Prince Nephilim]

I love it. Jack is easily one of the best if not THE BEST Striker at WW

 

[Bobby Boulders]

I think it's gonna be Garry but the event after White House

I'm fine with that, it makes sense

 

[El Fernas]

UFC shouldnt make #1 contenders fights, title eliminators, or whatever this is with the former champion, Makhachev hasnt even defended and if JDM wins then is he next?

 

[McGeezle]

Jesus fucking christ how have they managed to give garry the title shot and STILL not do Prates vs Morales?

 

[McGeezle]

Morales vs JDM is great but not fight i wanted . Morales v Garry or Shavat is fight to make if Usman is fighting Mak. Thats a true #1 contender fight. Jdm is far from a title shot

If I was match maker its
Islam Shavkat
Garry Morales
Jack Prates
Belal Usman

How are you clowns asking for everything but Prates vs Morales and JDM vs Garry

 

[Koya]

So it's down to Marty or Garry for the TS

Usman vs Islam confirmed. Wouldn't be surprised if that was on the same card.

The rumor is it's Garry