- Joined
- May 2, 2009
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The "on paper" caveat is necessary because the fight hasn't happened yet and we have no idea what will happen -- it could end with one punch a la JDS/Cain 1, they could circle each other for 25 minutes, or one of them might even try to grapple. Who knows.
However, going into this fight, this seems like it might be the best pure kickboxing match in UFC history. Neither of these guys have a history of going for the takedown (Aldo's ground game is definitely legit, but he's mostly used it to finish opponents he's already put down or worn down with strikes), and both are elite, hyper-quick, extremely technical strikers with knockout power.
So, simple question: is my memory just too short, or will this be the best pure kickboxing matchup in UFC history? Off the top of my head, the other options are Machida/Shogun, Hunt/JDS, Silva/Vitor (again, on paper -- it ended up being pretty quick in reality), or Dillashaw/Barao, although nobody thought TJ was going to be able to take it to Barao on the feet the way he did in that fight.
I give this the nod because these guys are both FWs with big-time power, which means they're going to keep a higher pace and be more technical than guys like Hunt or JDS, who are the elite of the elite in striking but a bit more plodding to watch because of their size. Anyways, let me know why I'm wrong -- I could always use some recommendations for fights to boot up the old Fight Pass for.
However, going into this fight, this seems like it might be the best pure kickboxing match in UFC history. Neither of these guys have a history of going for the takedown (Aldo's ground game is definitely legit, but he's mostly used it to finish opponents he's already put down or worn down with strikes), and both are elite, hyper-quick, extremely technical strikers with knockout power.
So, simple question: is my memory just too short, or will this be the best pure kickboxing matchup in UFC history? Off the top of my head, the other options are Machida/Shogun, Hunt/JDS, Silva/Vitor (again, on paper -- it ended up being pretty quick in reality), or Dillashaw/Barao, although nobody thought TJ was going to be able to take it to Barao on the feet the way he did in that fight.
I give this the nod because these guys are both FWs with big-time power, which means they're going to keep a higher pace and be more technical than guys like Hunt or JDS, who are the elite of the elite in striking but a bit more plodding to watch because of their size. Anyways, let me know why I'm wrong -- I could always use some recommendations for fights to boot up the old Fight Pass for.
