Whats Happening with Adrian Yanez's Career?

[HuskySamoan]

There's few prospects at 135lbs hardcores are more excited about in MMA than Adrian Yanez, his striking is simply incredible, some of the best hands in MMA and he's 28 years old holding a 16-3 record (5-0 UFC), he had his amateur debut at 17 yet he has had maybe the easiest strength of schedule out of any prospect, much more so than even O'Malley

UFC Debut vs Victor Rodriguez 7-2 pro record wins by R1 (T)KO
2nd UFC Fight vs Gustavo Lopez 12-5 pro record wins by R3 (T)KO
3rd UFC Fight vs Randy Costa 6-1 pro record wins by R2 (T)KO
4th UFC Fight vs Davey Grant 12-5 pro record wins by Split Decision
5th UFC Fight vs Tony Kelly 8-2 pro record wins by R1 (T)KO

His UFC opponents currently have a combined 10-14-1 losing UFC record with only Davey Grant having a winning record at 5-4, none of them have been ranked within the top 20. Maybe if Yanez was 24 I'd understand but he will be turning 29 next month, did you know the average age of a Bantamweight champion in the UFC is 28 years old at the time they won the belt? And the oldest person to ever win a Bantamweight title was 32 and that was Cejudo who was given a crack at a vacant belt so it's a bit of a special case, Aljo is the oldest Bantamweight champion in UFC history at 33 for what that's worth. So don't tell me "he's 29 he has plenty of time" the division is very young, there's a of 26-27 year olds who are ahead of him. I just don't get it, Yanez is super marketable, exciting and there's loads amazing matchups for him in the division. He has tons of experience and knockout finishes, what is going on with his UFC career trajectory?

 

[Question]

I remember a thread about a similar subject about a month ago on this.
Tbh I thought he'd have a fight booked by now and it is odd we haven't heard much news after the Kelley win. Idk if we're going to see him again in 2022 which would really suck since he'd only have one fight this year and being active is key for this period of his career.

He's definitely ready to fight some top fifteen guys now too.
IMO I'd like to see him vs Munhoz or Shore next, if he beats either of those two then he should move on to someone like Yadong or Font after.

 

[HuskySamoan]

I remember a thread about a similar subject about a month ago on this.
Tbh I thought he'd have a fight booked by now and it is odd we haven't heard much news after the Kelley win. Idk if we're going to see him again in 2022 which would really suck since he'd only have one fight this year and being active is key for this period of his career.

He's definitely ready to fight some top fifteen guys now too.
IMO I'd like to see him vs Munhoz or Shore next, if he beats either of those two then he should move on to someone like Yadong or Font after.

Jack Shore is fighting Kyler Phillips, if Yanez is out with an injury or something perhaps he can get the winner of that fight? I feel like Umar Nurmagomedov, Ricky Simon, Victor Henry, Raoni Barceleros, Jack Shore, Kyler Phillips, Said Nurmagomedov, Saidyokub Kakhramonov, Adrian Yanez are all kinda these real solid guys who's are trying to sort themselves out right now either in top 15 or just outside of the rankings. It would make sense that old dudes on the slide like Font or Munhoz would start fighting down vs some of these guys too, I'd even say Yadong should fight some of these guys. I don't really consider O'Malley separate from this batch but he does have special privileges.

 

[Question]

Jack Shore is fighting Kyler Phillips, if Yanez is out with an injury or something perhaps he can get the winner of that fight? I feel like Umar Nurmagomedov, Ricky Simon, Victor Henry, Raoni Barceleros, Jack Shore, Kyler Phillips, Said Nurmagomedov, Saidyokub Kakhramonov, Adrian Yanez are all kinda these real solid guys who's are trying to sort themselves out right now either in top 15 or just outside of the rankings. It would make sense that old dudes on the slide like Font or Munhoz would start fighting down vs some of these guys too, I'd even say Yadong should fight some of these guys. I don't really consider O'Malley separate from this batch but he does have special privileges.

Shore vs Phillips got cancelled man Shore had to withdraw from the bout due to a knee injury.
It really sucks because that would've been a banger fight.

Otherwise all the other suggestions you mentioned are great, I do feel like Simon deserves a step up right now against a top ten opponent but the others like Umar, Henry and Barceleros would be a perfect fight for Yanez.

 

[HuskySamoan]

Shore vs Phillips got cancelled man Shore had to withdraw from the bout due to a knee injury.
It really sucks because that would've been a banger fight.

Otherwise all the other suggestions you mentioned are great, I do feel like Simon deserves a step up right now against a top ten opponent but the others like Umar, Henry and Barceleros would be a perfect fight for Yanez.

Damn, I was looking forward to Shore vs Phillips although I think that's a harder fight for Shore than people probably expect. There's at least a lot of good matchups for Kyler available that make sense.

I think Simon deserves a step up too, 100% I felt that way about Said Nurmagomedov too but he got a big step down vs a crazy tough prospect instead so who knows.

 

[svmr_db]

I heard UFC was trying to make Rob Font vs Adrian Yanez

 

[KOPPE]

having the personality of a wet mop and doing no media will get you nowhere

 

[HuskySamoan]

having the personality of a wet mop and doing no media will get you nowhere

Ah yes, he should try punching an old man at the pub or wearing a Donald Trump hat. If that doesn't work he can try dying his hair or getting Naruto tattoos.

 

[Skarsgard]

After the hype of the Kelley fight, they're probably waiting for a few fights to play out. Someone like Font or Munhoz could be good.

 

[KOPPE]

Ah yes, he should try punching an old man at the pub or wearing a Donald Trump hat. If that doesn't work he can try dying his hair or getting Naruto tattoos.

look what happened to mighty mouse. thats the entertainment business for ya.

 

[Dude Incredible]

There's few prospects at 135lbs hardcores are more excited about in MMA than Adrian Yanez, his striking is simply incredible, some of the best hands in MMA and he's 28 years old holding a 16-3 record (5-0 UFC), he had his amateur debut at 17 yet he has had maybe the easiest strength of schedule out of any prospect, much more so than even O'Malley

UFC Debut vs Victor Rodriguez 7-2 pro record wins by R1 (T)KO
2nd UFC Fight vs Gustavo Lopez 12-5 pro record wins by R3 (T)KO
3rd UFC Fight vs Randy Costa 6-1 pro record wins by R2 (T)KO
4th UFC Fight vs Davey Grant 12-5 pro record wins by Split Decision
5th UFC Fight vs Tony Kelly 8-2 pro record wins by R1 (T)KO

His UFC opponents currently have a combined 10-14-1 losing UFC record with only Davey Grant having a winning record at 5-4, none of them have been ranked within the top 20. Maybe if Yanez was 24 I'd understand but he will be turning 29 next month, did you know the average age of a Bantamweight champion in the UFC is 28 years old at the time they won the belt? And the oldest person to ever win a Bantamweight title was 32 and that was Cejudo who was given a crack at a vacant belt so it's a bit of a special case, Aljo is the oldest Bantamweight champion in UFC history at 33 for what that's worth. So don't tell me "he's 29 he has plenty of time" the division is very young, there's a of 26-27 year olds who are ahead of him. I just don't get it, Yanez is super marketable, exciting and there's loads amazing matchups for him in the division. He has tons of experience and knockout finishes, what is going on with his UFC career trajectory?

This is a really interesting thing with him. I don't exactly know but if he doesn't get to move up the ladder soon he might get fucked. I don't know if the UFC wants him to act crazy or whatever but he is JBG manifest. If he has anything to add to his arsenal now is the time.

 

[SaigeVanZant]

They should've booked him as Frankie's last fight

 

[FIghtxIQ]

having the personality of a wet mop and doing no media will get you nowhere

He also needs a new image. He looks like a copy of a younger Masvidal and even has the same mannerisms. He also needs a step up in competition, seems like they are taking the slow grind up the rankings.

 

[MMAProfessional]

I'm not sold on him TBH. I think once he gets a step up he's going to have some trouble. Frankie would be good although it's very possible Frankie gets KOd and I don't want to see him go out like that but he could at least win 1-2 rounds before then.

 

[CroCopsLHK]

He fought Randy Zohan Costa. At least there's that

 

[fortheo]

Jack Shore is fighting Kyler Phillips, if Yanez is out with an injury or something perhaps he can get the winner of that fight? I feel like Umar Nurmagomedov, Ricky Simon, Victor Henry, Raoni Barceleros, Jack Shore, Kyler Phillips, Said Nurmagomedov, Saidyokub Kakhramonov, Adrian Yanez are all kinda these real solid guys who's are trying to sort themselves out right now either in top 15 or just outside of the rankings. It would make sense that old dudes on the slide like Font or Munhoz would start fighting down vs some of these guys too, I'd even say Yadong should fight some of these guys. I don't really consider O'Malley separate from this batch but he does have special privileges.

I thought shore was out of that fight with Kyler?

Yanez thought he was going to fight Font recently because the ufc completely forgot that Font's management told them Font needed time off after those two beatings he took and that he's having a kid in december.

Long story short, after poor communication on the UFC'S end, that fight isn't happening. I really like the idea of yanez against munhoz or even Cruz, though.

 

[xhaydenx]

I like Yanez, but it's hard to see how good he really is when he's not facing decent guys other than Grant, who he barely beat.

 

[HuskySamoan]

I thought shore was out of that fight with Kyler?

Yanez thought he was going to fight Font recently because the ufc completely forgot that Font's management told them Font needed time off after those two beatings he took and that he's having a kid in

Long story short, after poor communication on the UFC'S end, that fight isn't happening. I really like the idea of yanez against munhoz or even Cruz, though.

Yeah, I'm learning Kyler vs Shore is off too, I must have missed that. Who should Kyler fight next then? I wouldn't mind Kyler Phillips vs Umar, Barcelos, Yanez or a rematch with Victor Henry. Kyler to me is an interesting case, he was young and didn't have many fights under his belt but he has that great grappling base did BJJ since a toddler growing up in Torrance and was a standout Judoka and Wrestler in highschool. He's a fast, fluid, long and dynamic striker with tricky movement. Big for the division and real athletic.

Also as shitty as it is to say Kyler Phillips looked amazing in both his pro losses, vs Victory Henry he was like 22 and 5-0 vs Henry was 14-4 and like 30 at the time it was a split decision loss. Vs Paiva he basically beat the shit out of Paiva so bad he gassed out then lost, but thats not a guy he should have ever lost to and I hope he learned from that. Kyler is one of those guys I could see fighting for a title in 2 years or washing out completely and I'm just interested to see where it goes.

Kyler vs Umar is a dope fight, Kyler isn't someone Umar can easily bully with his wrestling and size. Standing I don't think Kyler would be that frustrated by Umar's range, kicks and movement either as he's longer, might be faster and also a great kicker. Only thing is Umar is always on point, polished and prepared where Kyler seems rough around the edges in a certain way.

 

[fortheo]

Yeah, I'm learning Kyler vs Shore is off too, I must have missed that. Who should Kyler fight next then? I wouldn't mind Kyler Phillips vs Umar, Barcelos, Yanez or a rematch with Victor Henry. Kyler to me is an interesting case, he was young and didn't have many fights under his belt but he has that great grappling base did BJJ since a toddler growing up in Torrance and was a standout Judoka and Wrestler in highschool. He's a fast, fluid, long and dynamic striker with tricky movement. Big for the division and real athletic.

Also as shitty as it is to say Kyler Phillips looked amazing in both his pro losses, vs Victory Henry he was like 22 and 5-0 vs Henry was 14-4 and like 30 at the time it was a split decision loss. Vs Paiva he basically beat the shit out of Paiva so bad he gassed out then lost, but thats not a guy he should have ever lost to and I hope he learned from that. Kyler is one of those guys I could see fighting for a title in 2 years or washing out completely and I'm just interested to see where it goes.

Kyler vs Umar is a dope fight, Kyler isn't someone Umar can easily bully with his wrestling and size. Standing I don't think Kyler would be that frustrated by Umar's range, kicks and movement either as he's longer, might be faster and also a great kicker. Only thing is Umar is always on point, polished and prepared where Kyler seems rough around the edges in a certain way.

The only criticism I have of Kyler is that I think his movement heavy style works against him at times. He's contstantly on his bike and constantly throwing high energy offence, and from what I've seen he doesn't have the cardio to keep that up for 3 rounds. Stylistically though, I would really like to see him against Umar. I just want to see Umar fight again though.

 

[HuskySamoan]

The only criticism I have of Kyler is that I think his movement heavy style works against him at times. He's contstantly on his bike and constantly throwing high energy offence, and from what I've seen he doesn't have the cardio to keep that up for 3 rounds. Stylistically though, I would really like to see him against Umar. I just want to see Umar fight again though.

Yup, he has an energy intense style and his main criticism thus far has been his cardio, its what cost him the loss vs Henry and Paiva where he looked dominant in the first round and then progressively worse each following round. Vs Yadong he looked pretty damn good for 15 minutes though, he slowed in the 3rd but it looked like clear improvement to me, then he gassed vs Paiva again. He trains at a great gym for cardio, Lab is known for great gas tanks so maybe he just doesn't have it in him?