Tony Ferguson on Khabib's performance vs Al Iaquinta: He was exposed.

[gevoudane]

I doubt Tony really believes that. Feel he's just trying to talk up the fight.

 

[GreatSaintGuillotine]

Khabib needs to integrate his skills better. He basically is either moving forward brute style, going for the takedown brutishly, or else starts boxing with moderate competence. So far, he has done mostly the former with great success since he is a superb pressure grappler, until last fight he suddenly started boxing for a few rounds. He still doesn't have the GSP, TJ, or Demetrius ability to shuttle from one skill to the other and, use his striking to set things up.

It is good to see he actually has some useful boxing skills. If he can't integrate these skills, moving forward that bluntly can get him clobbered going in, like Cain vs. JDS 1 or Kongo, or Guida vs many, or Khabib himself vs. MJ. He needs to use his boxing and movement better as he sets up the closing of the distance.

This is some legit criticism.

He's getting there. There is steady improvement. Hopefully he can make those entries cleaner, make those jabs sharper, and get some bounce to those feet.

 

[Shaddows]

That's some pretty shaky reasoning but Ok.

Look, I don't know who will win.
That is the beauty of it. Both guys like to pressure their opponents, so it will be a battle of who can impose their style first.

I see Tony pressuring khabib standing, and that is the one... doubt I have. Can Tony put pressure on Khabib without being taken down?
And can Khabib survive if he can't take Tony down for one, two rounds?

You question Khabib's gas tank... but if he is able to take Tony Down, Tony will be the one spending his gas trying to stand back up.

IMO both guys are good enough at their game to win.

I wouldn't claim either to have the advantage here. Because it all depends who can impose their game onto the other. And issues with gas tank (IMHO) is just a reflex of the above. WHoever imposes their will, the other guy will tire defending.