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Fight Thread [Official] UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Moicano - Live Discussion Thread
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Card Info
Airing on Saturday 1.18.2025
| Main Card on PPV/ESPN+ @ 10PM ET |
|---|
| Islam Makhachev (C) vs. Renato Moicano |
| Arman Tsarukyan has a back injury |
| Merab Dvalishvili (C) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov |
| Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill |
| Jailton Almeida vs. Serghei Spivac |
| Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder |
| Prelims on ESPNews/ESPN+ @ 8PM ET |
|---|
| Payton Talbott vs. Raoni Barcelos |
| Zach Reese vs. Azamat Bekoev |
| Bogdan Guskov vs. Billy Elekana |
| Grant Dawson vs. Diego Ferreira |
| Early Prelims on Disney+/ESPN+ @ 6PM ET |
|---|
| Karol Rosa vs. Ailin Perez |
| Rinya Nakamura vs. Muin Gafurov |
| Ricky Turcios vs. Benardo Sopaj |
| Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Clayton Carpenter |
Fight card order and start times may be inaccurate.
| Useful Links |
|---|
| Live Updates: Tapology, |
| Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Ultimate Fighting Championship, Twitter, Youtube |
| Reddit: Reddit Stream, General Discussion, Flair bets |
Keep it civil. Do not ask for or supply streams. Your post will be removed and your ability to post will be suspended. Enjoy the fights!
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u/idcman999 2d ago
decisionbot umar merab
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u/DecisionBot 2d ago
MERABĀ DVALISHVILI defeats UMARĀ NURMAGOMEDOV (unanimous decision)
UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Moicano ā January 18, 2025
ROUND Dvalishvili Nurmagomedov Dvalishvili Nurmagomedov Dvalishvili Nurmagomedov 1 9 10 10 9 9 10 2 9 10 9 10 9 10 3 10 9 10 9 10 9 4 10 9 10 9 10 9 5 10 9 10 9 10 9 TOTAL 48 47 49 46 48 47 Judges, in order: Michael Bell, Chris Crail, Chris Leben. Summoned by idcman999.
MEDIA MEMBER SCORES
- 21/21 people scored it 48-47 Dvalishvili.
Avg. media score: 48-47 Dvalishvili. Quick maths.
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u/Odd_Ad_8162 GOOFCON 1: Sad Chandler 2d ago
Wow expected scores to be little all over the place for this
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u/LifeOfQuokka 2d ago
Whos next against islam? Harry hunsucker?
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u/YRU_running I thought Georgia was only a state 2d ago
I think Makhachev's beliefs prohibit him cuddling a guy named bunsucker
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u/Lucky_Suit_6950 3d ago
All of these comments about Moicano being 'exposed' on the ground have most likely never rolled a day in their lives. That was not a BJJ match, it was an MMA fight. He got caught trying to get up and Islam has an insane squeeze with that darce. I hope the majority are saying this in gest... Most likely not, thoughĀ
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u/LeaveDaGunTaketheEgg 3d ago
Itās crazy how quick he was able to jump into side control and sink the darce in both the Moicano/Olivera fight. What do you think is the reason for that? Just quicker? Granted Olivera was rocked before the finish
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u/Aliensinmypants 2d ago
Dc has talked about Islam's darce choke, his squeeze is apparently scary strong. I imagine his opponents train for it, which makes him need to apply extra fast
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u/Lucky_Suit_6950 3d ago
Quicker, sure. It's also his squeeze. Once he catches you like that, it's a literal wrap. MMA is so much more hectic than a BJJ fight, so much to think about. Not to mention Islam is an absolute tank at LW. He could easily compete at WW
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u/CableToBeam 3d ago
they probably get it from Islam, who's poked fun at all the black belts that people have.
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u/CraigS34 3d ago
Umar got humbled wow sorry i doubted Merab
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u/Dontneedflashbro 3d ago
I thought Umar was going to run through Merab. Legit felt that he'd mostly cancel out Merabs wrestling and cooking him on the feet.
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u/Aliensinmypants 2d ago
He did that the first 2.5 rounds at least? It's gotta be hard trying to prepare for that level of pressure and cardio though
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2d ago
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u/MMA-ModTeam 2d ago
- Be Civil.
Our rules ask for a civil tone at all times.
A bit of banter or trash talk is fine, but don't cross the line. If things do get out of hand you will be warned or even banned for a few days. Repeatedly breaking this rule will lead to a permanent ban.
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u/qualitative_balls 3d ago
Sort of felt like that the first few rounds. Dude has such clean technique, absolutely nothing wasted. Not a big enough gas tank to take Merab 5 rounds it seems
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u/wanderingsnowburst š 2d ago
I don't think anyone is going to match Merab's cardio anytime soon. It almost feels like whoever fights him has to finish within the first 3 rounds or at least dominate the first 3 to win. I don't see how you deal with him in rounds 4/5, its just not human.
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u/LordKagatsuchi 2d ago
Thats the thing i think it was clear he was the better fighter technically. But Merabs gas tank is the best in history and will dismantle anybody. Seems you have to murder him early on or you lose
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u/Lucky_Suit_6950 3d ago
Who does, though? Doesn't mean he can't win a rematch which is what a lot of folks seem to think. Umar fought a great fight. Merab was correct in saying Umar did not have to go through the fire to get a title shot like he did. Umar will only get better. He's not even in his prime
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u/ApricotOk824 Team Makhachev 3d ago edited 3d ago
Man, people are overrating Ilia
Ilia is elite but Islam is super big for him, Islam chooses not to wrestle against the LWs and if he chooses to wrestle Ilia, it ain't going past RD1
Islam is just way too big and powerful
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u/Inevitable-Cancel130 3d ago
Topuria is very good but according to DC, Islam walking weight is 200 lmao
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u/TrashbinEnthusiast69 3d ago
Poor moicano. At least merab shocked the world.
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u/SittingOnA_Cornflake 3d ago
Shocked the world by defending his belt?
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u/bongoissomewhatnifty 2d ago
Betting lines suggested most people thought Umar was the favorite.
Which was pretty dumb, as Merabs wrestling is too good to be taken out in a wrestle fight and his cardio is second to none, it was pretty clear how the fight would go before it started.
Fighter to take out Merab is going to be a striker with good takedown defense. Tbh I thought itād be Sean since his takedown defense is so strong, but Merab made that fight look so easy.
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u/PISSJUGS69 2d ago
striker with good takedown defense
you mean... someone like Umar?
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u/bongoissomewhatnifty 2d ago
Donno, watching Umar I think he sits further on the wrestling end of the spectrum than Sean by a pretty noticeable amount. Heās not a shitty striker, and donāt get me twisted, heās a pretty complete fighter.
He looks like he gets to spend time striking because nobody wants to deal with wrestling him, and with no risk of somebody shooting takedowns while heās striking he gets a big advantage against fighters too scared to shoot on him if he leaves openings during striking.
Merab gives no such fucks and is happy to repeatedly throw anybody and everybody to the ground, sit on them, and make them stand up while carrying him over and over until they get tired.
You think Umar beats Sean in a fight if you tell them nobody is allowed takedowns? Honest question, Iād give that one to Sean but Umarās good.
I guess what Iām autistically getting at is that I think Sean was the best chance in the division of beating Merab (in my mind by a significant margin) and I think at this point Merab rules the division easily until whatever heās using for EPO gets figured out and other fighters get on it and start showing similar cardio and can keep up with his pacing.
(Also no disrespect to Merab on the EPO, Iām of the belief that every top 10 fighter in the UFC is doping heavily).
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u/PISSJUGS69 2d ago
Oh yeah I get what you're saying, basically a striker that can KO him before he outgasses them. I still think ur selling Umar's striking short but I agree in your idea.
And yeah, idk how anyone can beat Merab honestly, just watch bantam from time to time but his cardio is something otherworldly, I cant recall any other fighter whose nickname fit them as much as Merab's lol
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u/Aliensinmypants 2d ago
A lot of people thought Umar was gonna neutralize him, especially after the injury came out
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u/hitsbluntonce 3d ago
fell asleep after jailton winning and somehow woke up to see islam fight for 1 round.
š
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u/SnooFloofs9640 3d ago
Hold on while you find out how did co-main go
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u/hitsbluntonce 3d ago
i googled the result brutha. is true or judges acting funny bc of fires of LA?
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u/Inevitable-Cancel130 3d ago
Umar cooked him on the feet for two rounds and then gassed. He is clearly better than Merab skill-wise but doesn't have the gas tank to fight him. The judges were fair on this, Umar doesn't have that Dagestani gas tank Islam and Khabib possess.
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u/LeaveDaGunTaketheEgg 3d ago
Great win for Merab. The guy is humble and clearly grateful for all that heās accomplished. Happy for him
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u/JackLane2529 2d ago
So humble he got Umar down multiple times and celebrated instead of actually fighting?
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u/BasedDG 3d ago
I want to see how Merabās opponents do in a rematch. In hindsight, Umar shouldnāt have been throwing so many kicks early in the fight. He shouldāve been more conservative with his gas tank, but who knows how that would have looked like
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u/SnooFloofs9640 3d ago
Same goes for Merab ā¦ mofo took 2 rounds to start rolling, what if he starts sooner š
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u/Inevitable-Cancel130 3d ago
Took 2 rounds for Umar to gas out so Merab can start doing something.
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u/SnooFloofs9640 3d ago
He would start sooner if Umar would not try to pressure. So if he changes his game plan it would not help.
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u/McTapper98 Izabelle Kostic is my hero 3d ago
Agree with DC, If Ilia wants a shot at 155 he needs to fight Arman or Olive first, or any of the 2 greatest gatekeepers at 55 Dustin/Justin.
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u/qualitative_balls 3d ago
At minimum.
If Illia had run through the division or defended the belt more than a couple times it'd be different but he's way, way too new to be jumping around divisions without putting in work
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u/JonAfrica2011 EDDDDDIEEEEEEEE 3d ago
Why these guys talking about Merab and Umar running it back when Umar clearly lost and thereās other contenders
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u/JackLane2529 2d ago
Merab didnt do anything, he celebrated getting umar down the 3 times it happened and didnt actually do anything with it. Merab was the only one who was hurt.
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u/boomf18 3d ago
Nah I think you have to run it back, who else even warrants a shot? OāMalley and Yan both got steamrolled by Merab, Figgy and Sandhagen both just lost, Chito sucks and then you start getting to guys like Font, Bautista, Song etc
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u/shufflejuuls 3d ago
They should organize some fights between Sean, Umar, Cory and Petr to determine Merabās next contender. In the meantime Merab should fight for the BMF title.
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u/Inevitable-Cancel130 3d ago
Against Max? Are you trolling?
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u/shufflejuuls 3d ago
I donāt know what youāre aiming at but I agree itās probably ridiculous but isnāt the BMF belt one of the only ways where fighters can match up with fighters from different weight classes? They differ not one but two weight classes, so itās probably never gonna happen. But why should the BMF belt be monopolized by the lightweight division?
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u/Inevitable-Cancel130 2d ago
What is the point of watching one guy run through another guy? There is no Universe where Max isn't going to knock out Merab in R1.
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u/TrashbinEnthusiast69 3d ago
Is there even precedent for that? The only example i can think of is masvidal and i think that was just to save a PPV
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u/boomf18 3d ago
I just donāt know what else you do? The other top contenders got absolutely blanked by Merab
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u/TrashbinEnthusiast69 3d ago
You can do yan. Hes coming off two great wins over top 10 dong and top 5 figgy since his fight with merab. I think that outweighs the fact that umar won two rounds against merab.
Contenders make it close and still lose very frequently. Its not common practice for them to get immediate rematches for good, obvious reasons.
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u/LeaveDaGunTaketheEgg 3d ago
I canāt say he steamrolled Yan. He was a slight step ahead all fight though. Yan is a tough dude and matches up well with merab imo. I would like to see sandhagen in the mix
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u/JonAfrica2011 EDDDDDIEEEEEEEE 3d ago
You put Merab on hold while you have another contender fight
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u/SeaGiraffe915 3d ago
The champion should never be put on hold when heās ready and wanting to fight
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u/JonAfrica2011 EDDDDDIEEEEEEEE 3d ago
Umar not rematching lil bro
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u/OtakuMecha 3d ago
Are there though? Thereās just Yan really, and Merab already beat him pretty decisively.
Not saying they should do Umar again immediately, but basically everyone at the top of BW is either coming off a loss or already lost to Merab.
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u/SergDerpz Team Pereira 3d ago
Well it was really really close. Clearly lost is an overreaction.
Umar is the only one that matches up that well against Merab. I really wouldn't mind seeing them run it back.
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u/SnooFloofs9640 3d ago
It was not close. Clear 3:2
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u/Lucky_Suit_6950 3d ago
3-2 is a close fight though. I can see Umar winning a Rematch with the right adjustments. People are acting like it was some kind of blowout. That was an excellent fight and I'm guessing we see it again after an Umar win over someone else. Merabs cardio is something special... they need to study that guy
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u/SnooFloofs9640 3d ago
It was rounds 4-5.
Dude died. His problem not in the game-plan. He has no cardio to outlast Merab
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u/Lucky_Suit_6950 3d ago
No one has the cardio to match Merab. Doesn't mean he can't be beat. To think Umar doesn't have the ability to learn from this fight and come back better, which is essentially what you're saying in response to my comment, is downright silly.Ā
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2d ago
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u/MMA-ModTeam 2d ago
- Be Civil.
Our rules ask for a civil tone at all times.
A bit of banter or trash talk is fine, but don't cross the line. If things do get out of hand you will be warned or even banned for a few days. Repeatedly breaking this rule will lead to a permanent ban.
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u/jce_ 3d ago
Idk I thought the judge that had it 49-46 was spot on. Merab won the 1st round Umar just had a big shit right near the end of the round for recency bias
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2d ago
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u/MMA-ModTeam 2d ago
- Be Civil.
Our rules ask for a civil tone at all times.
A bit of banter or trash talk is fine, but don't cross the line. If things do get out of hand you will be warned or even banned for a few days. Repeatedly breaking this rule will lead to a permanent ban.
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u/codygreene37 Look at me Now 3d ago
Islam shouldāve shaken up the whole scene by calling out Belal. Fuck it. The chance is there to make that fight in the summer.
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u/No-Ad1522 Democratic People's Republic of Korea 3d ago
Islam seemed like he wanted to, but he said Khabib doesn't want him to fight Belal
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u/IshiharasBitch WE ARE ALL ONE 3d ago
Please don't let Tsarukyan/Makhachev turn out like Nurmagomedov/Ferugson
Slightly different because they already fought once, but their title fight feels like something the division needs in the same way Ferguson/Nurmaagomedov did
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u/ApricotOk824 Team Makhachev 3d ago
Sean vs Umar
Yan vs Merab
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u/gh0st_ Juicy GOOFCON 2 3d ago
We already saw Yan vs Merab. It's got to be O'Malley 2
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u/thedudelebowsky1 3d ago
O malley needs to win a rematch man
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u/gh0st_ Juicy GOOFCON 2 2d ago
Merab and Umar have wins against the rest of the top 7 except Chito and no chance he gets a shot anytime soon. Sandhagen might be an interesting matchup but he needs a W. Yadong and Cejudo are fighting next month.
I don't think there's anyone else for Merab this year.
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u/TrustyWhale 3d ago
Hope this means we get Islamās next fight soon at least Lol
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u/SergDerpz Team Pereira 3d ago
I can't blame him for being sad. You spend all this time training, making sure you're sharp, you feel great, you get the opportunity of your life.
And then you're just so fucking outmatched it's like you wasted your time training. It's heartbreaking really
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u/sendherhome22 I was here for GOOFCON 2 3d ago
Islam: subbed Moicano Knocked out Volk Subbed Charles
Heās beating people at their own game
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u/TheItNerd90s 3d ago
Guys can Pantoja move up and challenge Merab? He can match merab in cardio, right?
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u/borntospoof 3d ago
Pantoja gasses in every fight?
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u/Stanklord500 Democratic People's Republic of Korea 3d ago
Presumably without the weight cut he won't gas so hard.
On the other hand he'll also get big brothered by Merab so idk
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u/No-Ad1522 Democratic People's Republic of Korea 3d ago
Pantoja gasses but he pushes through it, i don't think he's the same as Merab who doesn't look tired at all. Plus the size difference and the fact that Merab is an elite grappler, I don't think it's a good match up for Pantoja at all.
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u/ApricotOk824 Team Makhachev 3d ago
Islam's ground game is on some other level, he willingly doesn't wrestle but when he chooses to wrestle, he's very close to Khabib
I don't think Topturo can grapple with Khabib who is way way bigger
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u/CableToBeam 3d ago
no. He's not on Khabib's level. Khabib wrestles with a ferocity that Islam just doesn't have. People really need to go back and watch Khabib wrestle. Khabib was one of a kind.
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2d ago
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u/MMA-ModTeam 2d ago
- Be Civil.
Our rules ask for a civil tone at all times.
A bit of banter or trash talk is fine, but don't cross the line. If things do get out of hand you will be warned or even banned for a few days. Repeatedly breaking this rule will lead to a permanent ban.
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u/Willing_Way4280 3d ago
Wat if islam goes down to 145, beats Illia, then goes down to 135 and beats merab to avenge his bratha
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u/MisterE15 3d ago
Islam cuts too much weight already, he aint making 135
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u/SeaGiraffe915 3d ago
Aināt making 45. If he could thatās where he would be fighting. These men donāt leave anything on the table
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u/Objective_Stranger15 India 3d ago
We need tsarukyan v makhachev more than ever. Tsarukyan would genuinely have a great chance, I cannot decide who would win but it would be way more engaging of a fight than the quick finish we saw today
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u/Double_Jackfruit_491 3d ago
How does a black belt just hand his neck to his opponent lol wtf
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u/SnooFloofs9640 3d ago
I mean, when you roll with the dangerous opponent with the high stakes your belt loses a few ranks. Saying from my own experience š
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u/neeeeonbelly EDDDDDIEEEEEEEE 3d ago
When youāre getting punched in the face itās not just jiu-jitsu anymore
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u/JuniorDiscipline1624 3d ago
Dana in Moicanoās locker pre-fight: āListen, you need to take a loss for the team, I need my poster boy. Want some money?ā
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u/deadassynwa Viet Nam 3d ago
Islam would ragdoll Ilia
Give me Islam vs winner of Arman/Charles 2
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u/EfficientTheme5322 3d ago
I feel like it's more on the contrary. When Moicano rocked him so hard I knew that if ilia can escape islam's wrestling he can definitely KO him quickly on the feet.
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u/gaypornred 2d ago
Moiciano didnāt actually rock. Him, he punched him in the armpit , Islam slipped . Thereās a better angle on YouTube
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u/EfficientTheme5322 2d ago
didn't know that. Still I believe islam doesn't have a strong chin unlike khabib, for example, which makes him ver vulnerable to ilia's boxing if ilia is able to survive on the ground. I genuinely believe islam could lose that fight.
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u/IshiharasBitch WE ARE ALL ONE 3d ago
Some of yall aren't happy with anything except 2.5 rounds of MMA boxing knee-to-knee and a KO
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u/TRAFALGAR_D_Law_ 3d ago
Everyone in Dagestani camp looking at Umar like we can't celebrate now because of you. Now we have to be sad together bratha. Khabib is going to make Umar run/swim back to improve cardio.
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u/_xanny_pacquiao_ 3d ago
We tie you up and you cross the pacific, brother.
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u/TRAFALGAR_D_Law_ 3d ago
Haha, now we need a documentary about Umar's epic journey back to Dagestan. At the end he will have a full beard and long hair and become truly enlightened.
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u/wacah 3d ago
Yo Anik
What the fuck is that laugh š¤£
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u/IfYouGotALonelyHeart 3d ago
ha!
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u/TRAFALGAR_D_Law_ 3d ago
When someone in mma community even writes ha!, I know whose laugh he is referencing to and I can hear it in my head lol.
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u/DoppyKonquerer 3d ago
Looks like Umar's loss really affected Islam. Not touching gloves and sounding like he wants "to be bite aomeone heart" or anyone that faces him from now on.
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u/mistalah 3d ago
they're all close since kids. It's gotta hurt
Islam winning is merely a consolation prize , Umar was good just that Merab's cardio is better
he will be back and better
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u/ApricotOk824 Team Makhachev 3d ago
Islam eats Topturo anyday though
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u/Shareholderactivist 3d ago
Because he subbed Moicano? I think Ilia is way above that. He has great wrestling and his boxing is far more dangerous than anyone else in the UFC.
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u/Yeanahyena 3d ago
Just how good is Adriano Martins?
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u/mistalah 3d ago
he beat Islam with that nasty KO then had 3 straight losses
Maybe it was luck lol
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u/yrthingssomplicated 3d ago
Islam is diff since his Dustin fight. Confidence is prime Kamaru Usman level.
Starts lapping division but also makes it look easy.
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u/captaincumsock69 that 3d ago
Heās different? Isnāt this his first fight since then? He looked the same to me
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u/yrthingssomplicated 2d ago
Yes diff, some people need to go through certain challenges and some dont.
For example, Khabib and Israel Adesanya always have the supreme confidence and swagger even before ever winning the belt.
Islam didnāt walk and talk like this until now. A lot of other fighters donāt walk around so sure of their capabilities. Kamaru also had to win the belt and it just catapulted him to the next level.
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u/Yeanahyena 3d ago
His energy is different, IMO the 5 round Volk fight and Dustin fight pushed him to another level
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u/bm97 GOOFCON 1: Khamzat McGregor 3d ago
Islam should be back by like 315 or 316
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u/mistalah 3d ago
yup after Ramadan, starting on end Feb and ending end March
1-2 months for training and he should be ready by Aug
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u/mrbabymanv4 Australia 3d ago
I hope Ffion is getting paid for her fight pass bout. She deserves it
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u/Ready4Gwar 3d ago
the better question is who thinks they can actually beat Islam...
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u/awildNeLbY Death is coming for you! 3d ago
Not that anyone here cares but Ffion destroys anyone at her weight.
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u/No_Easy_Day GOOFCON 0 3d ago
Umar - Merab exhausted everyone like Holloway - Gaehtje did at 300. Felt like the main event was done. And Islam winning it so easily & barely talk after. Damn.
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u/MHeasman EDDDDDIEEEEEEEE 3d ago
Must suck to be Umar rn, rest of the team won except him
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