Watch Alex vs. Vakhitov to see him against a much better pressure striker LHW than Ank.

[Rubios]

And Ank is a very good, or at least a very, very solid MMA striker.
Either of the two fights: the first one where Alex wins the double belt or the rematch where he loses.

If Alex manages to keep the fear of the TD from constantly looming over his head, and he hasn’t suddenly turned old overnight, the gap in levels is massive.

A southpaw opponent -with the exception of Ank (and I don’t think that was the factor)- has never caused Poatan problems in the past.

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

Watch the fight... Doesn't post it

 

[Gabe]

I’d love to see Alex win this but I think Ank has his number. He did better than most everyone anticipated the first fight.

 

[andgonsil]

I’d love to see Alex win this but I think Ank has his number. He did better than most everyone anticipated the first fight.

I fact, Poatan did much better

Nobody was expecting him stuffing all the takedowns

 

[Nobru]

I fact, Poatan did much better

Nobody was expecting him stuffing all the takedowns

this

two things I didnt expect coming into their first bout:

- Alex tdd. Really impressive
- Alex gunshy. Really surprising.

I dont think hes gonna be shy again this time, win or lose.

My guess, Alex by TKO R3.

 

[Chama]

this

two things I didnt expect coming into their first bout:

- Alex tdd. Really impressive
- Alex gunshy. Really surprising.

I dont think hes gonna be shy again this time, win or lose.

My guess, Alex by TKO R3.

Chama

 

[Pancake Sprawl]

you can't get old overnight if you're already old

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

A southpaw opponent -with the exception of Ank (and I don’t think that was the factor)- has never caused Poatan problems in the past.

Actually, not entirely true! It's something that we saw gave him trouble against a much lesser striker in Bruno Silva way back when.

Bruno had never been finished by strikes and posed an interesting stylistic matchup for Poatan, negating the calf kick with his southpaw stance and pressuring constantly. It was actually a great fight from Bruno, he hadn't lost in the 6 years prior, and he still survived Poatan to the bell, though the damage he took may have had long term adverse effects on his career.

Poatan adjusted and blasted the next southpaw he faced into another dimension with a single standing head strike in Jamahal Hill.

There is a certain issue presented by southpaws inherently, from finding quality sparring partners and upwards, everything coming from the opposite end messes up anyone's timing/distance until you get a feel for them, unless it's flat footed Hill lmao

 

[don't ask]

Watch Alex vs. Vakhitov to see him against a much better pressure striker LHW than Ank.​

Watch Alex vs. Ankalaev to see him against a much worse pressure striker LHW than Vakhitov. He got his fucking ass kicked.

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

Watch Alex vs. Ankalaev to see him against a much worse pressure striker LHW than Vakhitov. He got his fucking ass kicked.

Did he though

 

[don't ask]

Did he though
View attachment 1113454

Listen, fella, it's hard enough being funny in the world today, I don't need factual information being thrown in my face.

(also, wtf, I remember that fight being a pretty one-sided affair)

 

[Thesnake101]

Listen, fella, it's hard enough being funny in the world today, I don't need factual information being thrown in my face.

(also, wtf, I remember that fight being a pretty one-sided affair)

Ank had the bigger moments and most of the rounds he won he did so clearly (save for the 5th that involved a bunch of clinch stalling), but there was a lot of inactivity during the fight that let Alex win rounds.

 

[don't ask]

Ank had the bigger moments and most of the rounds he won he did so clearly (save for the 5th that involved a bunch of clinch stalling), but there was a lot of inactivity during the fight that let Alex win rounds.

Yeah, this is how I remember it. I didn't realize Alex was managing to steal rounds, though, but what you're saying makes sense.