Psychology of when a champ seems like they don't want to fight a top contender

[MarioLemieux]

Topuria and Merab seemed frustrated at the idea of fighting Max and Umar after their fights.

I'm not saying they're scared but that gives the mental edge to the challenger when they have to fight big time because all parties know the champ in both cases wanted an easier title defence.

 

[jeff7b9]

Topuria is the first fighter I have ever seen who released a list of the fighters he planned to duck prior to winning the belt.

 

[MrBlackheart]

I thought this thread was about jon Jones and Merab. Ilia has a fight booked with Max.

 

[2432sj]

It has nothing to do with psychology. They’re just trying to hang on to the belt as long as they can. Not admirable, but logical.

 

[MarioLemieux]

It has nothing to do with psychology. They’re just trying to hang on to the belt as long as they can. Not admirable, but logical.

That still gives the psychological edge to the challenger come fight time.

I thought this thread was about jon Jones and Merab. Ilia has a fight booked with Max.

He looked like he didn't want Max at all in his post fight reaction when Max beat Justin and started spouting off all this noise about the bmf title and moving up. He didn't have much choice but to fight Max next and same for Merab who has to fight Umar.

 

[Shaolin Alan]

Bisping 101

 

[laleggenda27]

Understanding Merab's path to the title, his feelings towards Umar make sense.

Merab had to win 10 straight fights in the UFC before getting the title shot, a bunch of those wins being against ranked opponents. Then Umar is promised a title shot with exactly 1 win against a ranked opponent.

One could reasonably argue that Merab complicated his own path because of his relationship with Aljo. But even after Aljo lost the title, the UFC gave Chito a BS title shot and made Merab fight Henry. It was widely understood that the UFC was trying to get Merab beat before getting a title shot.

 

[SuperAlly]

Understanding Merab's path to the title, his feelings towards Umar make sense.

Merab had to win 10 straight fights in the UFC before getting the title shot, a bunch of those wins being against ranked opponents. Then Umar is promised a title shot with exactly 1 win against a ranked opponent.

One could reasonably argue that Merab complicated his own path because of his relationship with Aljo. But even after Aljo lost the title, the UFC gave Chito a BS title shot and made Merab fight Henry. It was widely understood that the UFC was trying to get Merab beat before getting a title shot.

Umar's path to the title won't be too different to Sean's then

 

[PrideNverDies]

Diva era. They don't make fighters like they used to.

 

[13Seconds]

Diva era. They don't make fighters like they used to.

Ducking has always been a part of prize fighting.