Pantoja vs. Merab Makes a lot of sense at the moment

[Chayanne]

Would be a great fight, the question is whether Pantoja is not too small, who knows how heavy Pantoja is in his spare time?

 

[Dreyga_King of Sherbums]

I dont think pantoja beat kara france to my knowledge unless it was on tuf or something

Pantoja beat him on TUF

Also Kara-France has lost a bunch of #1 contender fights

 

[Dreyga_King of Sherbums]

Disagree. That means you have a shallow division. It can also mean you have bad matchmaking. The UFC fail to build contenders properly all the time. Contender fights mean shit once you become champion. Usman had a similar win streak at WW as GSP. GSP had that streak in title defenses which is a huge differece.

A) Beating all the contenders before you get to the title shop does not mean you have a shadow division. It means that the UFC has unfairly made Pantoja wait longer for a title shot than he should have. We see it all the time and we know it’s unfair but certain people are forced to clear out their division just to get a title shot and Pantoja is one of those dudes.

B) Contender fights mean a whole bunch even after you become champion because we know title fights are not giving out fairly. There is a lot of favoritism around who gets to fight for the belt and when. it is absurd to have someone who is beating everyone in the division and not having those winds recognized simply because Dana White doesn’t give him special privileges.

C) Usman is another perfect example of somebody who had to go on a ridiculous win streak and clear out the division before he was granted the titleshot. While Darren Till was allowed to jump the queue

 

[chardog]

Don't care. Defend the belt. For me the min number is 5 when it comes to defenses and being a "Dominant Champion".

care or not, Merab beat out his division soundly and wasnt fast tracked, who would he fight? Sandhagan coming off a loss to Umar? Figgy coming off a loss to Yan?

or should he rematch and beat all the top guys again?

 

[biscuitsbrah]

It only makes sense for the fans and Merab. If I’m Pantoja you’re going to have to pay me serious money to take that fight

 

[RockyLockridge]

A) Beating all the contenders before you get to the title shop does not mean you have a shadow division. It means that the UFC has unfairly made Pantoja wait longer for a title shot than he should have. We see it all the time and we know it’s unfair but certain people are forced to clear out their division just to get a title shot and Pantoja is one of those dudes.

B) Contender fights mean a whole bunch even after you become champion because we know title fights are not giving out fairly. There is a lot of favoritism around who gets to fight for the belt and when. it is absurd to have someone who is beating everyone in the division and not having those winds recognized simply because Dana White doesn’t give him special privileges.

C) Usman is another perfect example of somebody who had to go on a ridiculous win streak and clear out the division before he was granted the titleshot. While Darren Till was allowed to jump the queue

on point A), You're 100 Percent right that pantoja got put through the ringer to hold a title, and merab did too. Which is why it's sensible they fight. both have cleaned up their weight class without a belt.

Point B); Spot on. Umar is one of those people who get title shots because of favoritism. People who deserve it get passed over like figgy, A former champ who moved up and won 3 straight fights all against contender level fighters.


You were doing good, but you should delete C); Darren till beat wonderboy which was MUCH more than usman had to go through to get a title shot. (even though I thought till lost) Usman beat the same guys coming off losses like everyone else, Maia and RDA just like Colby did. Nothing about usman's come up, or title reign was impressive. He's the polar opposite of what you're describing (same with islam)

 

[13Seconds]

Both of them have no clear contenders other than rematches that people aren't excited about. I think if you match these guys up, it gives each of their divisions time to put forward a new contender, which both of their divisions desperately need.

Would you guys be into this match up? if not, why not?

Maybe it makes sense and I'd definitely watch but im not really into it.

I think Merab is like one inch taller with a slight reach advantage so the size difference would barely be noticeable, but this is still the biggest size advantage Merab would ever have in his career lol. When you see how he manhandled strong dudes like Umar and Cejudo, I don't see how he wouldn't toss around Pantoja, but fine. People said the same about Islam/Volk 1.

The truly crazy part is that Merab would ALSO enjoy a cardio advantage.

Pantoja deserves it but the timing is a bit off for Flyweight. KKF has been waiting for a while and Kape is breathing down his neck. Maybe let those two fight for an interim in the mean time then

 

[13Seconds]

You'd rather see Merab vs. O'malley 2 and Pantoja vs. Moreno 4? Or are you simply nitpicking at my lackadaisical usage of the phrase "dominant champs" ?

KKF is right there. It's the Manon Fiorot situation all over again if everyone just says fuck him

 

[fortheo]

KKF is right there. It's the Manon Fiorot situation all over again if everyone just says fuck him

I'm old, so I remember pantoja against KKF and honestly don't have much interest in a rematch. A couple of people are interested in it, though, and It wouldnt' be the end of the world if they make that fight since the first was so long ago in TUF. Pantoja beat Kape too, and nothing about it made me want to see a rematch. I just feel like Pantoja vs. Merab is better for both divisions. Book Kape vs. KKF in the meantime, and Umar vs. Yan, and sandhagen vs. O'malley all of these fights have more heat than Pantoja vs kkf 2, or merab vs. o'malley 2

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

KKF is right there. It's the Manon Fiorot situation all over again if everyone just says fuck him

With the big difference that Manon actually wins her fights, whereas KKF can just desperately hold onto a "I once beat the current champ over 7 years ago in a non-pro mma exhibition fight," award in the hopes it can somehow fast-track him a title shot on his 1 fight win streak

Edit* sorry, I mean KKF lost, so he doesn't even have that to hope for.

Honestly, at this point, comparing KKF to Manon is insulting

 

[13Seconds]

I'm old, so I remember pantoja against KKF and honestly don't have much interest in a rematch. A couple of people are interested in it, though, and It wouldnt' be the end of the world if they make that fight since the first was so long ago in TUF. Pantoja beat Kape too, and nothing about it made me want to see a rematch. I just feel like Pantoja vs. Merab is better for both divisions. Book Kape vs. KKF in the meantime, and Umar vs. Yan, and sandhagen vs. O'malley all of these fights have more heat than Pantoja vs kkf 2, or merab vs. o'malley 2

Now i can get with that. It's excellent matchmaking. That's some Joe Silva style matchmaking. So it means the org will probably look at these names and match them up in the worst scenario.

I do wonder what Pantojas thoughts are on moving up? Not sure if he has spoken on it yet. This guy is always awfully quiet between fights, now is the time to speak up. You're not beating DJ's flyweight record so take the shortcut and eye doublechamp stat.

 

[fortheo]

Now i can get with that. It's excellent matchmaking. That's some Joe Silva style matchmaking. So it means the org will probably look at these names and match them up in the worst scenario.

I do wonder what Pantojas thoughts are on moving up? Not sure if he has spoken on it yet. This guy is always awfully quiet between fights, now is the time to speak up. You're not beating DJ's flyweight record so take the shortcut and eye doublechamp stat.

I honestly don't know. I'm just thinking from a fan perspective here because I'm just tired of rematches. It is completely possible that he just wants to stay at 125lbs, but I think in terms of money even, merab would give him a bigger pay day than kkf. I guess we'll see what he and the UFC decided to do next.

 

[13Seconds]

With the big difference that Manon actually wins her fights, whereas KKF can just desperately hold onto a "I once beat the current champ over 7 years ago in a non-pro mma exhibition fight," award in the hopes it can somehow fast-track him a title shot on his 1 fight win streak

Edit* sorry, I mean KKF lost, so he doesn't even have that to hope for.

Honestly, at this point, comparing KKF to Manon is insulting

Fair point. I took a while to think about it and it would actually be for the best if Merab and Pantoja did fight. I was just taken back when TS mentioned it because it never crossed my mind.

Not THAT interested in the actual matchup (Merab tools him) but it's good in the sense that the divisions gets to breathe and build a bit. Alot of matchups to be made in the rankings for a true contender to rise up. And it's a great opportunity for Pantoja.

 

[13Seconds]

I honestly don't know. I'm just thinking from a fan perspective here because I'm just tired of rematches. It is completely possible that he just wants to stay at 125lbs, but I think in terms of money even, merab would give him a bigger pay day than kkf. I guess we'll see what he and the UFC decided to do next.

Looked it up, he said in an interview that he was motivated to move up to 135 when O'malley was the champ because of their history.

Hope he didn't change his mind too much now.

 

[Dreyga_King of Sherbums]

KKF is right there. It's the Manon Fiorot situation all over again if everyone just says fuck him

Big difference Manon is undefeated in the UFC and is on a big win streak

Kara-France has been racking up defeat against top contenders. He is perpetually one fight away from a title shot, but keeps tripping at the finish line

 

[AL-Tappo McSnappo]

your take is an umar rematch makes sense, and you have the NERVE to say his takes are bad.

Pantoja stands no chance IMO but he's certainly earned the right

Pantoja is great but too weak for 135 , i don't want to see him get thrashed for no reason, i say let the ones that can win get the shot. Even some of those Bellator guys.

 

[RockyLockridge]

Pantoja is great but too weak for , i don't want to see him get thrashed for no reason, i say let the ones that can win get the shot. Even some of those Bellator guys.

I agree with that but if he wants to there's no way they should say no. He has cleared out his division and as much as i agree he stands no chance, if he doesn't think so he's earned the right to prove it.... if he wants to.

 

[bigfootsbreath]

There is a reason why weight classes exist. And moving up a weight class should never get you an instant title shot. Pantoja should have to earn a title shot at the higher weight class by getting a top 5 victory. I mean there is a reason why pantoja kills himself to make weight at fly instead of fighting at bw.

 

[svmr_db]

There is a reason why weight classes exist. And moving up a weight class should never get you an instant title shot. Pantoja should have to earn a title shot at the higher weight class by getting a top 5 victory. I mean there is a reason why pantoja kills himself to make weight at fly instead of fighting at bw.

Not saying now is the right time for Pantoja to move up, but champions in the lower weight class don't need to fight contenders in the higher one to get a title shot. That's not the precedent that has been set. If UFC feel Pantoja has enough title defenses at 125 then he will have earned his shot at the 135 belt.

Doubt he ever moves up anyways though.

 

[AL-Tappo McSnappo]

Merab can be the Goat unless he kills himself first