Reflecting back on KZ vs Ortega

[PizzaandBeer]

T-City looked like a completely different fighter from his previous(w/ Holloway).I hope to see some more, to be able to determine if it was truly him that changed, or it was KZ that was lacking.

Yeah a guy that fought someone that fought for the belt and went inactive for 2 years was lacking

 

[BluntForceTrama]

Ortega's performance was beautiful to watch. It had moments of prime Jon Jones' martial art poetry in motion.

He'd be an interesting match-up against Volkanovski stylistically. However, I think Volkanovski's athleticism, footwork, speed, and power would nullify Ortega's unorthodox striking.

I have to agree with you That was some aesthetic shit he was doing in there that night


I think Yair vs Ortega is intriguing if kept standing up

 

[JosephTessaro]

Decided to rewatch the fight


I had become such a KZ fanboy that I didn't think KZ had much to worry about Turns out I was completely wrong It was an outclassing

I'm thinking there should be more chatter about this Ortega character because whatever he's eating or drinking I want That transformation was another world

I'm watching this and Ortega is completely unpredictable If KZ looked off balance or out of sorts it's because he was completely confused He didn't know what to protect from what because it was coming from all directions Ortega is totally unpredictable which is what the zombie feasted on in previous fights Ortega's doing some weird capoeira dance in there too

I hope KZ can come back but it can't be more deflating than this at 34 yo He's gonna climb the ladder again at this stage? I guess so But like I said this fight sort of exposed his major weaknesses and he'd never been this exposed until this fight He needs the opppnent to be predictable He has to have a game plan Ortega coming from nowhere (2nd coming I know) basically surprised the zombie

I'm wanting to see if there's any post fight insight from any of you

Truly amazing how you didn't use one single period in your post, however you capitalized some words as if you ended the sentence.

 

[BluntForceTrama]

Kinda obvious but KZ was probably 75% or less the fighter he usually is after that spinning elbow.

Three rounds like that

 

[BluntForceTrama]

Truly amazing how you didn't use one single period in your post, however you capitalized some words as if you ended the sentence.

Sorry Something is Fd up in my iPhone where pumping the spacebar doesn't leave a period when it should I'll try and fill it

 

[Gio]

He is so wide open to spinning elbows man Jeez

you know he's actually lucky he didn't eat one in the Yair fight


How do you think Ortega would do against Yair Both pretty similar on stand up

He actually ate one in the Yair fight, seconds before the 1st or 2nd round ended but it was not that impactful. It just busted his lip.

I think with Brian's new found confidence, he won't mind trading shots in there with Yair. He can throw variety of attacks without worrying to get it on the ground, which I think if he should win, it's by mixing it up, closing the distance and use his grappling and submit him on the ground. He doesn't wanna stand and bang in there with Yair that much. Yair is still a lethal striker.

 

[BluntForceTrama]

He actually ate one in the Yair fight, seconds before the 1st or 2nd round ended but it was not that impactful. It just busted his lip.

I think with Brian's new found confidence, he won't mind trading shots in there with Yair. He can throw variety of attacks without worrying to get it on the ground, which I think if he should win, it's by mixing it up, closing the distance and use his grappling and submit him on the ground. He doesn't wanna stand and bang in there with Yair that much. Yair is still a lethal striker.

I honestly see fight of the year potentiall with Ortega vs Yair Talk about los gallos

 

[Franklin U.]

Decided to rewatch the fight


I had become such a KZ fanboy that I didn't think KZ had much to worry about. Turns out I was completely wrong . It was an outclassing

I'm thinking there should be more chatter about this Ortega character because whatever he's eating or drinking I want. That transformation was another world

I'm watching this and Ortega is completely unpredictable If KZ looked off balance or out of sorts it's because he was completely confused . He didn't know what to protect from what because it was coming from all directions. Ortega was totally unpredictable and being predictable is what the zombie feasted on in previous fights. Ortega's doing some weird capoeira dance in there too

I hope KZ can come back but it can't be more deflating than this at 34 yo . He's gonna climb the ladder again at this stage? I guess so .... But like I said this fight sort of exposed his major weaknesses and he'd never been this exposed until this fight . He needs the opppnent to be predictable . He has to have a game plan. Ortega coming from nowhere (2nd coming I know) basically surprised the zombie

I'm wanting to see if there's any post fight insight from any of you

Like I tried explaining- a combination of your take on kz and just flat out tunnel vision on fans minimizing a young Ortega off the Max fight ( it was 1 fight and a pretty good version of max) plus the layoff. Vegas was even sideswiped which I found surprising. I thought it was a close fight going in ( as u know ). Brian went back to the drawing board ( after a title fight loss) and it looks like we have someone who " could" win title.

 

[Schoolboy Q]

It's more of a mental thing in his part imo rather than skill discrepancy.

It was definitely a large skill discrepancy, KZ has always been a basic fighter.

 

[Jose Beehive]

The Jab was one of the most impressive Jabs i've ever seen in MMA, I felt like I was watching a good Pro Boxer at times. Would love to see him rematch Max Holloway in a couple of years.