Saw Fedor/Maldonado fight second time

[maximmm]

And I must say, it does look a bit different.

I still think the fight should have been stopped in the first round and would have been stopped if this was not in Russia.

In the second round though Fedor did look pretty good and not as unbalanced as I thought. I would also say that my conspiracy theories about Maldonado being less active in the second round sort of went away. First of all, he spent a LOT of energy in the first round and his breathing was pretty hard in the second round. At the same time, whenever he tried to attack, Fedor was actually surprisingly quick to dodge his punches and he did give Maldonado a fair beating in the second round. But.... that kick that Fedor missed - a good fighter would have rushed him immediately after he fell and this could have ended this, but Maldonado didn't react at all, which was odd.

The third round Fedor looked a lot slower, his gas tank was nearing zero - Maldonado's gas tank was also still in recovery - and the number of punches landed in this round... I'd give Fedor a very small edge.

Overall, a tie would definitely have been the best decision. Giving Fedor a win - hmm... I suppose if you see it as a massive come back from a near KO loss, it might make sense. But yeah, home advantage and all - and even if it were not such, I have seen worse judge decisions in the UFC.

But yeah, the best decision would have been a draw. At the same time, giving Fedor a loss here would have been just as controversial as giving him a win.

I suggest everyone takes a second look at this fight.

 

[Fahrenheit1221]

My internet where I was at at the time sucked ass so it was laggy and choppy. When I watched it on Fedor's YouTube channel in HD I had a similar conclusion to you.

Should've been a 10-8 first round and a 28-28 draw and I agree with you saying if it were outside Russia it would've been stopped. That being said Fedor showed as much heart as I've ever seen in a MMA fight.

 

[xMisterxMikeX]

I also didn't like how Fabio didn't capitalize on the slip. However, it is a sport and some are more sportsman like than others. Maybe recognizing it was a slip he didn't want to take advantage.

Or, maybe he was so damn tired at the moment or being overly cautious and either couldn't react in time o chose not to for fear of a mistake.

 

[qw3rty]

considering the beatdown he took in the first, he did very well in the second round

 

[Clippy]

This is the quickest "I just rewatched x fight" thread I have ever seen.

 

[Rogerdraven]

After watching it a second time where it wasn't choppy and in HD I agree with the decision. Fedor won rounds 2 & 3, no one denies that. The controversy is in round 1. Was it a 10-9 or a 10-8? If all that happened was the part where Fedor was in huge trouble, yeah 10-8 for sure, but it wasn't. I'm fine with either score but gave it 10-9 because Fedor had some good offence in that round as well.

 

[Andrey Kamensky]

I agree. after watching it the second and third time it get's better. and I don't feel like it's a controversial desicion anymore. Sure it could have been a draw, but scoring aside Fedor showed how truly great he is. Coming back from that and leading in the next 2 rounds is something out of this world. Fedor is a true warrior. And for that I respect him even more after this fight.

 

[Rusk]

And I must say, it does look a bit different.

I still think the fight should have been stopped in the first round and would have been stopped if this was not in Russia.

Seeing how Fedor recovered, i think not stopping the fight was the right decision.

Also Herb Dean sucks.. just saying.

With that said, it was a draw imo.

 

[kakutogi boom bap]

I only watched it once. I agree with you.

 

[dontlaugh]

Naaaah Fedor's coming to the UFC gonna be the HW champ in no time lmao

 

[moreorless87]

And I must say, it does look a bit different.

I still think the fight should have been stopped in the first round and would have been stopped if this was not in Russia.

Again I'm not really see where this fight should be stopped. Fabio gets a knockdown but he can't follow up on it right away as Fedor gets him in a body lock then Fabio tries to unload with GnP but Fedor improves position quickly each time he starts to, Fedor gets up and his still hurt and Fabio lands a couple more shots but doesn't hurt him again then for the rest of the round Fabio has him against the cage a couple of times but again doesn't hurt him not consistently land on him with power shots.

I'd reverse your call and say that this fight not being stopped is very much inline with existing standards in the US and Russia and if it were stopped in the same situation in the UFC I would consider that much more questionable the same way I consider Herb Deans performance to be vs Hendo.

 

[EndlessCritic]

the fact that fedor recovered should tell you that the ref made the right call in not stopping it.

 

[NHB7]

Fedor looking bad but still winning isn't something new. It is a defining characteristic of his career that makes his fights that much more enjoyable.

From Fujita putting him on Bambi legs to Randleman appearing to murderplex him.

From Hunt going for a sub from top position to AA our striking him in the early goings.

One of the great things about Fedor is he doesn't get rustled. Even hurt Fedor is one of the most dangerous men on the planet.

 

[PancraseForever]

Fedor looking bad but still winning isn't something new. It is a defining characteristic of his career that makes his fights that much more enjoyable.

From Fujita putting him on Bambi legs to Randleman appearing to murderplex him.

From Hunt going for a sub from top position to AA our striking him in the early goings.

One of the great things about Fedor is he doesn't get rustled. Even hurt Fedor is one of the most dangerous men on the planet.

A defining characteristic how? He got suplexed hard and uh....... Getting rocked by Fujita that happens to every fighter at some point and it was just one punch... Mark Hunt kimura attempt, this isn't anything out of the ordinary and the rest of the fight was pretty one sided. Most of his wins are him dishing out beatdowns. He's not known for constantly getting his ass kicked for 90% of fights.