Whittaker Hurts everyone really bad with his RHK but doesn’t follow up and finish

[Garnet_StrongerThanYou]

He even BROKE Cannoniers arm with it.

It’s violent and Cro Cop Esque.

He should probably follow up with punches though and get the guy out of there.

I wonder if it will be there on Izzy

 

[mjfan23]

More important question against Is-he: how’s his chin?

 

[Grandwizard666]

More important question against Is-he: how’s his chin?

He's be flattened before so it's not out of this realm to imagine Bobby can ko him
I bet on rob tko rd2

 

[Substance Abuse]

Whittaker's last opponents:

- Kelvin Gastelum 24 Fights. Finished twice by sub.

- Jared Cannonier 19 Fights. Finished twice by KO, once by sub.

- Darren Till 22 Fights. Finished twice by sub and once by KO.

- Adesanya 22 Fights. Never finished.

- Romero x 2 at 19 Fights. Finished once by KO.

In 125 Fights, these guys have been finished nine times.

The better the fighter, the harder they are to finish.

 

[Arrrrgh]

Each of those fights/fighters are guys that you need to be careful rushing in for the finish on, to be fairrrrr.

But I agree. Don't get too reckless but those are the moments for bursts of energy expenditure. Go in controlled and put it on the guy.

That said I don't know if it's the best strategy against a crafty counter-striker like Izzy. This is the type of guy who can finish you even if he's hurt.

It's just hard to criticize Whittaker too much because he's had so much success against everyone. Dude DOES pick his moments really well and doesn't leave himself open to getting finished. That said, Izzy found his shots and put Rob in a bad place from the start last time around.

 

[Arrrrgh]

Whittaker's last opponents:

- Kelvin Gastelum 24 Fights. Finished twice by sub.

- Jared Cannonier 19 Fights. Finished twice by KO, once by sub.

- Darren Till 22 Fights. Finished twice by KO.

- Adesanya 22 Fights. Never finished.

- Romero x 2 at 19 Fights. Finished once by KO.

In 125 Fights, these guys have been finished eight times.

The better the fighter, the harder they are to finish.

Dang, mr stat-o-matic coming in with the 5 fight combo for the KO.

Did you just defeat TS's argument AND prove TS's point that it's an effective strategy?

 

[Substance Abuse]

Dang, mr stat-o-matic with coming in with the 5 fight combo for the KO.

Did you just defeat TS's argument AND prove TS's point that it's an effective strategy?

Knuckles has had success with it. He almost got Jared out of there with it, but overall, he's been content to be methodical and pick his spots much more lately. Yoel and Gastelum have bricks for heads, so it's no shock he didn't finish them.

I don't think it'll be that easy to land that combo on Izzy. Bobby was having some luck with straight punches and leg kicks, but I'm really curious how he's going to approach this fight. I don't think he can get takedowns pressing too much because Izzy has good TDD and uses the cage so well. He definitely needs to cut down on those wide punches moving in. He's going to have to make this a boring, boring grind, and it might not be enough. Izzy is patient and content to pot shot until he sees an opening.

 

[mjfan23]

He's be flattened before so it's not out of this realm to imagine Bobby can ko him
I bet on rob tko rd2

Anyone can be finished. But Rob is more hittable and been finished in mma more frequently. With that said I am betting on an upset

 

[Arrrrgh]

Knuckles has had success with it. He almost got Jared out of there with it, but overall, he's been content to be methodical and pick his spots much more lately. Yoel and Gastelum have bricks for heads, so it's no shock he didn't finish them.

I don't think it'll be that easy to land that combo on Izzy. Bobby was having some luck with straight punches and leg kicks, but I'm really curious how he's going to approach this fight. I don't think he can get takedowns pressing too much because Izzy has good TDD and uses the cage so well. He definitely needs to cut down on those wide punches moving in. He's going to have to make this a boring, boring grind.

Yeah man.
As big of a whittaker fan as I am, Izzy is a tough style matchup for him.
But I think you could swap those names and the argument still rings true.

I'm interested to see how both guys approach this fight. I could see Izzy taking a much more cautious approach this time, seeing as he holds the belt, Rob's been on a tear, and despite it being at LHW, one of these two lost between the last time they fought and it wasn't Rob. Does that stick in his head and lead to hesitation or does he make it a statement like he did against Marvin?
I think that psychology angle plays a big role in this fight. The roles are flipped a bit.

That said, I think the actual fight will be won with angles. Cutting off the cage, a lot of lateral movement in and after engaging, and who can survive the big counters because I expect both guys to land. The clinch could be a nightmare for Rob so probably try to avoid getting tied up at all costs... but it does open up sweeps and potential takedowns. If he can get it to the ground I think Rob has a clear advantage but Izzy learns so fast from fight to fight... who knows. But boring grind sounds like a miserable night for izzy if Rob can make that happen.

I'm just stoked for this one.
I give Izzy shit because he's basically an internet troll and I know he laps it up. He's diogenes the cynic, except rich as fuck.
I'm rooting for Rob but I love watching both guys.

 

[Substance Abuse]

Anyone can be finished. But Rob is more hittable and been finished in mma more frequently. With that said I am betting on an upset

Bobby has a good chin but he's been in wars so it isn't as good as it used to be. His recovery is still top notch though, which speaks to his preparation and cardio. He got cracked at the end of the first round against Izzy and came out fine to start the second. I think Izzy will win, but I would love to be wrong. I don't hate Izzy like a lot of people do. He's a great fighter but Bobby is just a real, good dude. I hope he pulls it off.

 

[Substance Abuse]

Yeah man.
As big of a whittaker fan as I am, Izzy is a tough style matchup for him.
But I think you could swap those names and the argument still rings true.

I'm interested to see how both guys approach this fight. I could see Izzy taking a much more cautious approach this time, seeing as he holds the belt, Rob's been on a tear, and despite it being at LHW, one of these two lost between the last time they fought and it wasn't Rob. Does that stick in his head and lead to hesitation or does he make it a statement like he did against Marvin?
I think that psychology angle plays a big role in this fight. The roles are flipped a bit.

That said, I think the actual fight will be won with angles. Cutting off the cage, a lot of lateral movement in and after engaging, and who can survive the big counters because I expect both guys to land. The clinch could be a nightmare for Rob so probably try to avoid getting tied up at all costs... but it does open up sweeps and potential takedowns. If he can get it to the ground I think Rob has a clear advantage but Izzy learns so fast from fight to fight... who knows. But boring grind sounds like a miserable night for izzy if Rob can make that happen.

I'm just stoked for this one.
I give Izzy shit because he's basically an internet troll and I know he laps it up. He's diogenes the cynic, except rich as fuck.
I'm rooting for Rob but I love watching both guys.

I couldn't agree more. This is as high level of a fight you could get at Middleweight right now and these are clearly the best two fighters in the divison. I'm very curious how this fight is going to play out. It truly is human chess. Then again, I've spent weeks and months discussing a fight that ends in a minute or two in the past, so nothing would surprise me really.

If Rob is content to grind, score points and not chase Izzy, only throwing shots that don't leave him open for that pull counter he'll be okay. I don't think the head kicks are going to pay dividends here and are a waste of energy outside of giving Izzy something to think about. Who knows man. I just know I'm eager to see it unfold.

 

[Hotora86]

I couldn't agree more. This is as high level of a fight you could get at Middleweight right now and these are clearly the best two fighters in the divison. I'm very curious how this fight is going to play out. It truly is human chess. Then again, I've spent weeks and months discussing a fight that ends in a minute or two in the past, so nothing would surprise me really.

If Rob is content to grind, score points and not chase Izzy, only throwing shots that don't leave him open for that pull counter he'll be okay. I don't think the head kicks are going to pay dividends here and are a waste of energy outside of giving Izzy something to think about. Who knows man. I just know I'm eager to see it unfold.

This is the most exciting fight of 2022 for sure and the most excited I've been since Jan vs Reyes. What's even more interesting is that this is essentially a Karate vs Kickboxing matchup (unless Rob goes full wrestler, which I'm sure he won't, tho if he does his win chances go up!).

 

[Substance Abuse]

This is the most exciting fight of 2022 for sure and the most excited I've been since Jan vs Reyes. What's even more interesting is that this is essentially a Karate vs Kickboxing matchup (unless Rob goes full wrestler, which I'm sure he won't, tho if he does his win chances go up!).

The only other fight I'm as excited for as this one is Yan/Sterling. Aljo's comeuppance is on the horizon and Yan might be the best all around mixed martial artist in the UFC. I love to watch that stone cold killer fight.

 

[FIghtxIQ]

This is the most exciting fight of 2022 for sure and the most excited I've been since Jan vs Reyes. What's even more interesting is that this is essentially a Karate vs Kickboxing matchup (unless Rob goes full wrestler, which I'm sure he won't, tho if he does his win chances go up!).

I think Whittaker is going to focus a lot on his boxing with his striking in this fight. Seems like that's what he's been working on with his new boxing coach preparing for this fight.
I don't think he'll throw the high kick much, he had a hard time with it in the first fight and only landed one off a break in the first fight. The height/reach difference makes it harder for Whittaker to time, get in range, and connect with it compared to other fighters in the gifs.

 

[Hotora86]

The only other fight I'm as excited for as this one is Yan/Sterling. Aljo's comeuppance is on the horizon and Yan might be the best all around mixed martial artist in the UFC. I love to watch that stone cold killer fight.

Oh yes, I am longing for that payback fight as well.

 

[Moonwalker95]

Whittaker's last opponents:

- Kelvin Gastelum 24 Fights. Finished twice by sub.

- Jared Cannonier 19 Fights. Finished twice by KO, once by sub.

- Darren Till 22 Fights. Finished twice by KO.

- Adesanya 22 Fights. Never finished.

- Romero x 2 at 19 Fights. Finished once by KO.

In 125 Fights, these guys have been finished eight times.

The better the fighter, the harder they are to finish.

Till only been KO'D once

 

[Hotora86]

I think Whittaker is going to focus a lot on his boxing with his striking in this fight. Seems like that's what he's been working on with his new boxing coach preparing for this fight.
I don't think he'll throw the high kick much, he had a hard time with it in the first fight and only landed one off a break in the first fight. The height/reach difference makes it harder for Whittaker to time, get in range, and connect with it compared to other fighters in the gifs.

Oh yeah, Izzy is the Jones/Spider of MW with his superior reach and reflexes. Apart from Rob I don't see anyone at MW right now who would pose a serious threat. Maybe Khamzat in a couple years if he turns out to be as good as the hype and takes the WW belt?

 

[Deathbycalfkick]

Oh yes, I am longing for that payback fight as well.

As am I, mostly because if Sterling pulls it off this place will go up in flames.

Realistically Yan takes it though.

 

[HI SCOTT NEWMAN]

He landed flush on Gastelum many times but Gastelum has that typical fat fighter chin, never ever been knocked out or finished with strikes, his chin is EPIC.. I honestly think Ngannou would struggle to knock him out.

Fat fighter chin bless

 

[SKITZADACTYL]

weird that you used pics from the jacare fight since the headkick led to a finish.