Sherdog has a weird, irrational hatred for Belal

[DatSamboKid]

Although Belal has had some underwhelming performances in the past, I must acknowledge that his performance last night was exceptional and really elevated his standing in the sport. He displayed the qualities of a champion and demonstrated his full potential.

 

[moosaev]

Imagine barely scraping by a dude with one arm lmao

Leon almost got knocked out by a journeyman lightweight (Nate Diaz), yet he’s the champ.

 

[RockyLockridge]

Although Belal has had some underwhelming performances in the past, I must acknowledge that his performance last night was exceptional and really elevated his standing in the sport. He displayed the qualities of a champion and demonstrated his full potential.

Yeah I don't get it. He paced him self for a 5 round fight, Threw ~275 signifcant strikes for a whole 5 round fight, Outlands his opponenet 3:1 on body and head shots.

I think he's proven that he's a worthy title contender that has all the skills. Not sure why people say it was so borring, Or say he didn't fight he fought plenty. He made it look easy too.

 

[Objectively Correct]

Leon almost got knocked out by a journeyman lightweight (Nate Diaz), yet he’s the champ.

Yea

 

[Volador]

It’s not irrational. He’s boring as a fighter, and lacks charisma outside the cage. Very little to offer in terms of excitement in either front. It was also apparent that Edwards was fucking him up. In fact it seems like Usman, Colby, Khamzat, Shavkat and Edwards would all fuck him up, since they can hang with his wrestling and are far more skilled in the striking. Has no signature wins or moments in the UFC. There’s no real excitement because he’ll decision a few guys and then get beaten by any of these top guys, he’s a less skilled Fitch, and it’s only a matter of time until he gets knocked back in the ranks.

 

[Objectively Correct]

Yeah I don't get it. He paced him self for a 5 round fight, Threw ~275 signifcant strikes for a whole 5 round fight, Outlands his opponenet 3:1 on body and head shots.

I think he's proven that he's a worthy title contender that has all the skills. Not sure why people say it was so borring, Or say he didn't fight he fought plenty. He made it look easy too.

It never fails. Isra3-1 fans always support the most unlikeable fighters, seems to be a disease really.

 

[RockyLockridge]

It never fails. Isra3-1 fans always support the most unlikeable fighters, seems to be a disease really.

I didn't even say anything in support of him but it's undeniable that he fought a smart fight and decisively beat his opponent. and no he didn't scrap by him he dominated him bell to bell.

I dont care what you say, burns fight last month against masvidal was more borring than last nights fight. Last nights co-main wasn't even the most borring fight on the card, (kron vs jordain was more borring)

 

[moosaev]

It’s not irrational. He’s boring as a fighter, and lacks charisma outside the cage. Very little to offer in terms of excitement in either front. It was also apparent that Edwards was fucking him up. In fact it seems like Usman, Colby, Khamzat, Shavkat and Edwards would all fuck him up, since they can hang with his wrestling and are far more skilled in the striking. Has no signature wins or moments in the UFC. There’s no real excitement because he’ll decision a few guys and then get beaten by any of these top guys, he’s a less skilled Fitch, and it’s only a matter of time until he gets knocked back in the ranks.

What’s irrational isn’t that he’s hated, it’s the degree of the hatred. It’s way out of proportion. Also, mma fans simply can’t distinguish between their emotional reaction to a fighter, and their ability to objectively assess the fighters career and what they deserve. You can hate Belal all you want but calling him a bum or saying he doesn’t deserve a TS is asinine, and irrational. That’s what OP is referring to.

 

[Objectively Correct]

I didn't even say anything in support of him but it's undeniable that he fought a smart fight and decisively beat his opponent. and no he didn't scrap by him he dominated him bell to bell.

We have VERY different definitions of domination it seems like. It would have been more entertaining to see him hunt a one-armed opponent down, maybe go for a takedown, take advantage of the handicap. Mf WINCED every time he MOVED his arm and Belal just cruised to a decision win. Bad look in my opinion, I dont like fighters like that.

 

[RockyLockridge]

We have VERY different definitions of domination it seems like. It would have been more entertaining to see him hunt a one-armed opponent down, maybe go for a takedown, take advantage of the handicap. Mf WINCED every time he MOVED his arm and Belal just cruised to a decision win. Bad look in my opinion, I dont like fighters like that.

I dont like fighters like that either, but I don't think burns came into this fight injured. Belal hurt him with all the kicks.

Jones did exactly the same against OSP. Granted, jones got a lot of hate for it. I defended him too. He had the fight in the bag it wasn't him who had to go for broke.

Of course this didn't happen when whittaker didn't try to hard to finish cannonier who had one arm, We all know why though.

 

[Objectively Correct]

I dont like fighters like that either, but I don't think burns came into this fight injured. Belal hurt him with all the kicks.

It was Burns first takedown attempt, it wasn't something Belal did. He was attacking the other side the entire time. It doesn't even matter how it happened, Belal didnt capitalize on it at the end of the day.

 

[Simple Southerner]

I rather watch paint dry. but he is a pretty good fighter & he deserves his title shot what more do you want from us

 

[RockyLockridge]

It was Burns first takedown attempt, it wasn't something Belal did. He was attacking the other side the entire time. It doesn't even matter how it happened, Belal didnt capitalize on it at the end of the day.

How did he not capitalize on it? He dominated him on the feet for an entire fight. He had no obligation to take risks beating him. burns was the one compromised, Taking a big risk would benefit burns the most.

We have to remember this isn't a game. you don't have to root for the fighters that do this but we have to understand what is at stake for these two in this type of matchup. WW is the most fucky weight class matchmaking wise, lots of fighters who may rightfully earn title shots at WW don't always get them. This is one of those situations where it's now or never for belal, he loses to burns here, he probably NEVER fights for the title.

It doesn't entertain me, and neither did leon coasting against diaz and getting putt on bambi legs by nate late in the fight.

So lets just agree that while Belal isn't the most entertaining guy at WW he is infact deserving. Just like jones and whittaker were when they coasted against their one armed opponents. Jones also couldn't finish no legs santos, but we don't pretend jones is no good now because that would be silly.

 

[WolverReem]

Just sherdog? Seems everyone hates him. I think he's decent but WW right now is kinda thin imo

 

[Objectively Correct]

How did he not capitalize on it? He dominated him on the feet for an entire fight. He had no obligation to take risks beating him. burns was the one compromised, Taking a big risk would benefit burns the most.

We have to remember this isn't a game. you don't have to root for the fighters that do this but we have to understand what is at stake for these two in this type of matchup. WW is the most fucky weight class matchmaking wise, lots of fighters who may rightfully earn title shots at WW don't always get them. This is one of those situations where it's now or never for belal, he loses to burns here, he probably NEVER fights for the title.

It doesn't entertain me, and neither did leon coasting against diaz and getting putt on bambi legs by nate late in the fight.

So lets just agree that while Belal isn't the most entertaining guy at WW he is infact deserving. Just like jones and whittaker were when they coasted against their one armed opponents.

Yes, he had no obligation as you put it, thats correct. But the fact that he didnt is part of the reason why nobody likes the dude. And yes he deserves the title shot. I just hope he gets knocked the fuck out

 

[RockyLockridge]

Yes, he had no obligation as you put it, thats correct. But the fact that he didnt is part of the reason why nobody likes the dude. And yes he deserves the title shot. I just hope he gets knocked the fuck out

I agree, It's not hard to tell why no one likes him.

I like colby as a contender more personally and would much rather watch colby than belal. I hope they stay the course with that fight.

 

[Jarvan]

Belal:

• 9 fight win streak
• Defeated 3 top 5 opponents (Wonderboy, Luque, Burns)
• Fought below in the rankings off a win and beat an undefeated fighter
• Always been active
• Found a way to neutralize every opponent

But Sherdog is still crying about him being an 'average' and 'boring' fighter.

On second thoughts, being on a 9 fight win streak and beating top 3 opponents is nothing special. And why is he smart with his game planning? Why doesn't he just go out there and play to his opponents' strengths? Why does he minimize damage and not mindlessly brawl like Chandler and Gaethje?

Real talk though, you don't have to like the guy but holy shit this place feels like reddit with all the circle jerking and recycled belal hate. If you're still denying him at this stage then you're just another hater. Plain n simple.

Haters will be seeing a lot more Belal now that he got his title shot secured. Enjoy.

Do people here like ANYONE unanimously?

When the fuck has Sherdog ever liked a fighter simply because he was on a win streak?

You sound like a Jon Fitch fan

 

[RockyLockridge]

Do people here like ANYONE unanimously?

When the fuck has Sherdog ever liked a fighter simply because he was on a win streak?

You sound like a Jon Fitch fan

Fighters i find a very high percentage of sherdog like. (As close to unanimous as possible)

-Whittaker
-Mousasi
-Burns
-Moreno
-Condit

 

[The Legendary Scarface]

I don't hate him. I'm muslim, he's Muslim. I was raised and spent most my life in the Chi as he was too. I wish the brother nothing but success.

Objectively, he has some great qualities as a fighter - gas tank, pressure, defensively sound and responsible, sticky wrestling, great top control, strong, good chin, good volume in his striking.
However he also is objectively flat footed when striking, with awful movement. Very telegraphic and labored strikes, slow hands with some of the worst boxing in the division.

Because of the above, I certainly am not a fan and I think it does kind of rub ppl the wrong way when they never get to actually see what a fight of yours vs an elite opponent looks like... Leon was beating him up until the eye poke and he took an injured Burns with one hand to a decision without even hurting him once.

Meh

 

[aerius]

What’s irrational isn’t that he’s hated, it’s the degree of the hatred. It’s way out of proportion. Also, mma fans simply can’t distinguish between their emotional reaction to a fighter, and their ability to objectively assess the fighters career and what they deserve. You can hate Belal all you want but calling him a bum or saying he doesn’t deserve a TS is asinine, and irrational. That’s what OP is referring to.

It's Sherdog, everything gets turned up to 11. @Volador makes a good point, Belal is utterly lacking in any signature wins or highlight finishes, he literally has no highlight reel to speak of. Put it this way, I'm a pretty hardcore fan, as in I remember the Danielle Taylor vs. Maryna Moroz fight where the latter managed to air-punch her way to a 6% significant strike percentage, and I can't remember a single one of Belal's finishes. The only fight of his I remember is the one against Leon that ended in an eyepoke NC. FFS, I remember more Jon Fitch fights than Belal fights, and Fitch has been gone from the UFC for over 10 years. How the hell is anyone supposed to get hyped for a guy like that?