Signings/Scouting WMMA Discussion #29

Liang/Aldrich is a pretty funny fight, Liang is, uh, far short of 'UFC level' (even by today's standard of that term) but she is suicidally aggressive and if there's one thing Jj doesn't like it's being hit by an aggressive opponent... surely Jj can't be overwhelmed and bullied by Liang, though... can she?? :eek:

and on the other side Jj is someone I thought could never finish a UFC fight, but now she has someone who is a wild sloppy mess that is gonna empy their tank in a few minutes, is it actually possible Jj might finish a fight?! :eek: (I do remember her brutally finishing a can in a cat singlet back in Invicta days)

despite Jj having a (surprisingly) large number of fans around here and being almost certain to win (and a loss would probably see her cut and gone) (plus I'm betting on her anyway despite the steep odds so it would damage my wallet) I'm kinda rooting for Dargoon Lady to win anyway just for the mayhem and the lolz :p
 


Laura Balin from Argentina who fought in ONE Championship retired. She was scheduled to fight Julieta Martínez on one of the Samurai Fight House cards.
 
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Askafan said:
I'll take Blanchfield and Aldrich to win by decision. I'm surprised that the UFC didn't book these two fine young specimens of the Hibernian diaspora onto the Boston card, but never mind the green fields of Singapore it is.
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Maybe they're only sending their classiest representatives to Singapore so they don't have to worry about them being executed for public drunkenness, jaywalking, or posession of 'substances', and saving the likes of Garry, Molly, and Conman for the Boston rowdies.

Refreshingly not all hibernoids are down with the douche act:
 
Xuh said:
Jj is someone I thought could never finish a UFC fight, but now she has someone who is a wild sloppy mess that is gonna empy their tank in a few minutes, is it actually possible Jj might finish a fight?! :eek:
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cheers-salud.gif


Was a fun fight :)
 
This is an amazing feeling I am not used to. A lot of us been on the Erin train since EBI and she is actually living up to her potential. I am not used to this at all. Everyone usually fails at some point early.
 
Rizz said:
This is an amazing feeling I am not used to. A lot of us been on the Erin train since EBI and she is actually living up to her potential. I am not used to this at all. Everyone usually fails at some point early.
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Erin was lucky that Taila was coming off a long lay-off and had no gas tank, otherwise she would've been wrecked. She's definitely been working on her strength & conditioning since she went from struggling in the clinch against Aldrich to holding her own against Santos. However, her striking defence is still crap and she got lit up badly by Santos in the 1st round. On the bright side, she was smart enough to adjust and force the grappling exchanges when she realized that striking wasn't working, and she put her cardio advantage to great use there.

Overall, mixed bag as usual as with every Blanchfield fight. She shows glaring issues in most of her fights but wins them regardless. Her toughness & physicality is a problem for everyone in the division but she's way too easy to hit.
 
aerius said:
Erin was lucky that Taila was coming off a long lay-off and had no gas tank, otherwise she would've been wrecked. She's definitely been working on her strength & conditioning since she went from struggling in the clinch against Aldrich to holding her own against Santos. However, her striking defence is still crap and she got lit up badly by Santos in the 1st round. On the bright side, she was smart enough to adjust and force the grappling exchanges when she realized that striking wasn't working, and she put her cardio advantage to great use there.

Overall, mixed bag as usual as with every Blanchfield fight. She shows glaring issues in most of her fights but wins them regardless. Her toughness & physicality is a problem for everyone in the division but she's way too easy to hit.
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Is'nt that Santos' game in a nut shell? Very big, strong, athletic and skilled early until she gasses? All those muscles and explosive abilities come at a price. The price is if she does not finish you early she gasses. This is like early career Nunes. She was a killer until she gassed. I agree Erin has some things she needs to improve. You can say that about every fighter. She is beating the top of the division while still having flaws at 24. That is extremely impressive.
 
Rizz said:
Is'nt that Santos' game in a nut shell? Very big, strong, athletic and skilled early until she gasses? All those muscles and explosive abilities come at a price. The price is if she does not finish you early she gasses. This is like early career Nunes. She was a killer until she gassed. I agree Erin has some things she needs to improve. You can say that about every fighter. She is beating the top of the division while still having flaws at 24. That is extremely impressive.
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I think you've got the wrong Brazilian. The only time I've seen Taila slow down was late in her title fight vs. Valentina, she's finished strong in all her fights, even her UFC debut where she was heavily grappled by Mara in the first half of the fight.

The reason I'm not as hyped about Erin as most others is something wonky often happens in her fights that swings it her way. Like, how does Taila throw herself into bottom position when she has double underhooks and a full body lock? Or Erin pulling a guillotine out of her ass after a fairly even match with Aldrich? Or Andrade having a wardrobe malfunction at the wrong time?

If we compare her to Suarez (similar number of fights, both seen as future champs) there's a huge difference in defensive skills and how they win their fights. With Erin, she's often having a relatively even fight or even losing until some weird shit happens and she finishes the fight or takes control. She gets dinged up on the feet a lot and on the ground she's more of an opportunistic grappler who grabs quick subs than a methodical one who works for & sets up her subs.

Suarez (minus the 3rd round vs. Ansaroff) is always in control of her fights. Watch how she controlled the distance & striking exchanges vs. Andrade, Jessica couldn't get in on her and got kicked in the body and punched in the face for the entire 1st round. Not even Rose & Joanna could do that to her, Blanchfield most certainly didn't. And when the grappling starts, Suarez is a lot more methodical with her takedowns, control, and how she sets up her subs.

Ultimately, if Erin is seen as a champ in waiting then I'm going to evaluate her like one. Flaws & shortcomings which I'd forgive in a prospect will get harshly graded.
 
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aerius said:
The reason I'm not as hyped about Erin as most others is something wonky often happens in of her fights that swings it her way.
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That right there might be the thing for actually living up the hype.

The moment when all the analytical thinking and armchair-Edmonding flies out of the window. When you just Win. The straight route to the mythological levels of Fedorhood, where you can be suplexed on your head by Randleman but you pull off a glorious victory nonetheless. I think you, with this sententence, actually described the biggest reason to Believe in Blacnfield, not to choose disbelief.

Also, that's why I rank her above Suarez - the ability to deliver where the analytical observers and their Moleskine notebooks are unable to follow. Lets call it Chi for the lack of better word :D
 
aerius said:
I think you've got the wrong Brazilian. The only time I've seen Taila slow down was late in her title fight vs. Valentina, she's finished strong in all her fights, even her UFC debut where she was heavily grappled by Mara in the first half of the fight.

The reason I'm not as hyped about Erin as most others is something wonky often happens in of her fights that swings it her way. Like, how does Taila throw herself into bottom position when she has double underhooks and a full body lock? Or Erin pulling a guillotine out of her ass after a fairly even match with Aldrich? Or Andrade having a wardrobe malfunction at the wrong time?

If we compare her to Suarez (similar number of fights, both seen as future champs) there's a huge difference in defensive skills and how they win their fights. With Erin, she's often having a relatively even fight or even losing until some weird shit happens and she finishes the fight or takes control. She gets dinged up on the feet a lot and on the ground she's more of an opportunistic grappler who grabs quick subs than a methodical one who works for & sets up her subs.

Suarez (minus the 3rd round vs. Ansaroff) is always in control of her fights. Watch how she controlled the distance & striking exchanges vs. Andrade, Jessica couldn't get in on her and got kicked in the body and punched in the face for the entire 1st round. Not even Rose & Joanna could do that to her, Blanchfield most certainly didn't. And when the grappling starts, Suarez is a lot more methodical with her takedowns, control, and how she sets up her subs.

Ultimately, if Erin is seen as a champ in waiting then I'm going to evaluate her like one. Flaws & shortcomings which I'd forgive in a prospect will get harshly graded.
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I could have sworn I remember Santos slow down in long fights before but I will go with your thoughts on Santos over mines since I have not watched fights regularaly for a long time.

The Andrade wardrobe malfunction could be a good point if Erin was not handily beating her even in striking until that happened.

On Erin's fights somehow always having something go her way. I look at it like this. If it keeps on happening to her maybe its not just luck. Awkward throw attempts happen all the time. In real fights people may do unexpected things and that causes you to mess up a throw. I also remember Santos having a similar fight vs Valentina where every single scramble landed her in a dominant position until the head clash. If we are doing to punish Erin for those things happening then we must say that Santos would have been handly beat if not for every scramble going her way.

I don't understand the pulling a guillotine out of her ass part. Grappling is her base. If she pulls of something crazy or unexpected it is the years she has put in to make that possible. She saw an opportunity and took it. It does not matter how the fight was going because she used the skills she knows best and ended it decisively.

I think we just have a different way to viewing things. I like you can see flaws in Erins game. I mean you can go back in the threads and watch me call her on it also. I just don't dwell on them as much when even with those flaws she is beating the top on her division. She might not be able to beat Valentina with her striking flaws but 95% of the division also can't beat Valentina. So I can't kill her too much for that. I think Erin stand a good chance if she fights Grasso. I do enjoy having this little conversation.
 
aerius said:
I hadn't seen Isis Verbeek in a while and didn't even recognize her in the cage. What in the heck happened, and why does she look like a strung out Gillian Robertson who decided to take hard drugs instead of weed? Craziest change I've seen since Larissa Pacheco.
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Pacheco’s physical changes should be studied
 
JJ gets her first KO!

Erin takes it to decision in an entertaining fight and clearly wins 29-28. We'll soon see Fiorot vs. Rose and Grasso vs. Bullet II. It will all shake out soon enough.

After watching the card and pulling weeds in yard heading for a nap.
 
Rizz said:
I could have sworn I remember Santos slow down in long fights before but I will go with your thoughts on Santos over mines since I have not watched fights regularaly for a long time.

The Andrade wardrobe malfunction could be a good point if Erin was not handily beating her even in striking until that happened.

On Erin's fights somehow always having something go her way. I look at it like this. If it keeps on happening to her maybe its not just luck. Awkward throw attempts happen all the time. In real fights people may do unexpected things and that causes you to mess up a throw. I also remember Santos having a similar fight vs Valentina where every single scramble landed her in a dominant position until the head clash. If we are doing to punish Erin for those things happening then we must say that Santos would have been handly beat if not for every scramble going her way.

I don't understand the pulling a guillotine out of her ass part. Grappling is her base. If she pulls of something crazy or unexpected it is the years she has put in to make that possible. She saw an opportunity and took it. It does not matter how the fight was going because she used the skills she knows best and ended it decisively.

I think we just have a different way to viewing things. I like you can see flaws in Erins game. I mean you can go back in the threads and watch me call her on it also. I just don't dwell on them as much when even with those flaws she is beating the top on her division. She might not be able to beat Valentina with her striking flaws but 95% of the division also can't beat Valentina. So I can't kill her too much for that. I think Erin stand a good chance if she fights Grasso. I do enjoy having this little conversation.
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Generally speaking there's 2 types of grapplers; opportunistic ones who can seemingly grab a sub out of nowhere given the slightest opening, and systematic ones who work towards a sub and force you into one even if you do everything right and don't make any mistakes or leave openings. I'm not going to say one is better than the other in a given fight, but the latter is more consistent & reliable in the long run. Erin leans towards the former, she's very quick to jump on openings for subs and often sinks them in before the opponent can react. However, that didn't work against Santos. She went for the arm triangle early and lost position, then tried to jump on a RNC and lost that too since she never bothered to secure her position. It's great if it works but it also leaves a bunch of potential openings & opportunities for the opponent when it doesn't.

With regards to luck, I believe there's truth to the adage of making your own luck, but other than Aljo I don't remember seeing this much wonky stuff going in favour of a single fighter and that makes me uneasy. You brought up Santos somehow getting the better of Valentina in every clinch exchange, and how if even a couple of them went the other way it would've been an easy win for Valentina. I agree, and my opinion is the same is true of Erin to some extent. It's kinda like Robbie Lawler stealing 5th rounds in his title wins vs. GSP dominating the fights from beginning to end. I love Robbie and he was my favourite 170 champ, but I'm happy to admit that he lucked out and straight up stole at least one of those wins.

Going back to Erin vs. Andrade, the striking was fairly even in that one, Erin might've been a bit ahead since she was landing more head strikes but it wasn't a clear advantage by any means. Andrade was eating up her legs and landing good body punches, but neither had a clear lead in the standup and they both ate clean head punches. Also some similarities between that one, the Aldrich fight, and the Santos one. If you stop Erin's initial takedown attempt you're pretty much good, she's not particularly good at getting to the next step in the chain to setup further takedowns and it usually stalls out on the fence. Note how easily Suarez and Valentina took Andrade down vs. how much Erin had to work before she finally succeeded in the 2nd.

Overall, I'd say Erin can beat anyone in the division on a given day. However, she's not going to be a dominant long-reigning champ unless she fixes her striking and improves her takedowns. I can see ways for Rose, Valentina, Grasso, and Natalia Silva to take her head clean off, and Fiorot can give her bunch of problems too with her strength & movement based style.
 
I love these allegations that a certain fighter is the main character, and there's always a Deus ex machina moment that turns the tides in her favor. You can't beat her, because she's scripted to win HAHAHAHAHA. I love it.

Also: Taila Santos can bang. Even though I don't like the fact that something sketchy happened with her trainers regarding their PERSONAL stuff. I can't deny that as a fighter she's great to watch. Not a fan, but will tune in whenever she fights. She's exactly the type of fighter that Flyweight has been producing: Exciting fighters.

Rose Namajunas is a wildcard and could be an important player at 125 if she wins her upcoming fight. Fiorot is a physical specimen for the division, she's already done more than enough to be fighting for the title (Took out Maia and Chookagian back to back, with Chooks being the undeniable #1 in the division at the time) so therefore I hope she gets her trademark moment against Rose, to leave no doubt that she's the next in line for that title.

Of course I am looking forward to Grasso vs Shevchenko II. Shevy has been in Thailand upping her diet and muscle game, while Grasso is looking bigger than ever too. I expect a similar fight, may the best woman win.

The two Silvas are so fun to watch, one's a proven finisher with zero decision wins. The other is an incredible prospect with an exciting style.

Exciting times at Flyweight.
 
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aerius said:
Generally speaking there's 2 types of grapplers; opportunistic ones who can seemingly grab a sub out of nowhere given the slightest opening, and systematic ones who work towards a sub and force you into one even if you do everything right and don't make any mistakes or leave openings. I'm not going to say one is better than the other in a given fight, but the latter is more consistent & reliable in the long run. Erin leans towards the former, she's very quick to jump on openings for subs and often sinks them in before the opponent can react. However, that didn't work against Santos. She went for the arm triangle early and lost position, then tried to jump on a RNC and lost that too since she never bothered to secure her position. It's great if it works but it also leaves a bunch of potential openings & opportunities for the opponent when it doesn't.

With regards to luck, I believe there's truth to the adage of making your own luck, but other than Aljo I don't remember seeing this much wonky stuff going in favour of a single fighter and that makes me uneasy. You brought up Santos somehow getting the better of Valentina in every clinch exchange, and how if even a couple of them went the other way it would've been an easy win for Valentina. I agree, and my opinion is the same is true of Erin to some extent. It's kinda like Robbie Lawler stealing 5th rounds in his title wins vs. GSP dominating the fights from beginning to end. I love Robbie and he was my favourite 170 champ, but I'm happy to admit that he lucked out and straight up stole at least one of those wins.

Going back to Erin vs. Andrade, the striking was fairly even in that one, Erin might've been a bit ahead since she was landing more head strikes but it wasn't a clear advantage by any means. Andrade was eating up her legs and landing good body punches, but neither had a clear lead in the standup and they both ate clean head punches. Also some similarities between that one, the Aldrich fight, and the Santos one. If you stop Erin's initial takedown attempt you're pretty much good, she's not particularly good at getting to the next step in the chain to setup further takedowns and it usually stalls out on the fence. Note how easily Suarez and Valentina took Andrade down vs. how much Erin had to work before she finally succeeded in the 2nd.

Overall, I'd say Erin can beat anyone in the division on a given day. However, she's not going to be a dominant long-reigning champ unless she fixes her striking and improves her takedowns. I can see ways for Rose, Valentina, Grasso, and Natalia Silva to take her head clean off, and Fiorot can give her bunch of problems too with her strength & movement based style.
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tl;dr :)
 
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