Topic: Nurmagomedov vs. Barboza
Nurmagomedov vs. Barboza
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10.27.2017 | 3:20 PM ET
"This is the droid you're looking for."
Responses
10.27.2017 | 3:20 PM ET
Prediction: correct Nurmagomedov correct Decision
"When a game cannot be won, change the game."
10.27.2017 | 3:43 PM ET
Prediction: correct Nurmagomedov correct Decision
"Never go down without a fight"
10.27.2017 | 4:13 PM ET
Prediction: correct Nurmagomedov correct Decision
"The only thing predictable about MMA is that it is unpredictable."
10.27.2017 | 8:54 PM ET
Prediction: correct Nurmagomedov correct Decision
10.28.2017 | 2:13 AM ET
Prediction: correct Nurmagomedov wrong KO/TKO wrong Round 3
11.12.2017 | 10:21 PM ET
Prediction: correct Nurmagomedov correct Decision
I think the main thing that will decide this fight is how well Khabib can close the distance. He has a solid chin, as he proved in the Michael Johnson fight (if you watch a replay of the moment slowly, you can see that the hook that Rogan claimed rocked him in the 1st round missed his chin entirely, as the attached image shows), and he has one of the highest percentages of significant strikes defended in the UFC. If you watch Khabib's recent training videos, you can see that he's done a lot of work on his boxing. I think this will prove very useful when he's trying to get out of kicking range against Barboza, who has been beaten by Michael Johnson. Michael Johnson employed a similar strategy in his fight against Edson, he was constantly pressuring Barboza and trying to force boxing exchanges, and it worked.
I think Khabib will be able to close the distance, and once he does, get takedowns by using bodylocks and chain wrestling. Barboza is a dangerous striker with great speed and amazing reflexes, though, so it's very possible that he could catch Khabib at distance.
If Khabib beats Barboza, I think there won't be any question whatsoever that he's the best fighter at lightweight. Ferguson gets controlled on the ground when he grapples with technical wrestlers like Khabib (as well as Danny Castillo and Kevin Lee). He may have been able to sneak a triangle in against Lee, but he was still getting controlled before that happened, and Khabib's level of dominance and activity from the top is unparalleled in MMA. Conor would be an easy fight for him. Conor's biggest weaknesses are his poor cardio and wrestling, both of which Khabib is exemplary at.
* Edited at 11.12.2017, 10:34 PM ET *
"I must become shape" - Khabib Nurmagomedov
11.13.2017 | 10:27 AM ET
Prediction: wrong Barboza wrong KO/TKO wrong Round 2
Also don't see how you can call Nurmy, the best after beating someone ferguson finished, especially after all the shady ****, with Nurmy pulling out of there fight. His team pulled some BS, because they new it would not end well after a bad weight cut, in 5 rounder against Ferguson. There story does not add up at all, saying they could not find a medical personnel, even though there literally medical staff everywhere, which every dam UFC fighter and managers, knows that. His team looked for a way out and found it, because they did not like his chances that night.
* Edited at 11.13.2017, 12:14 PM ET *
"here I come to save the day"
11.13.2017 | 10:35 AM ET
Prediction: wrong Barboza wrong KO/TKO wrong Round 1
Barboza is a dangerous striker, though. Khabib hasn't fought a striker like Barboza before. This fight is tough to call, but I believe that Edson has improved enough to decision Khabib. The pressure of Khabib will definitely be an issue for Barboza if he can't stop it, however. I'll definitely be switching back and forth on this pick.
11.13.2017 | 2:11 PM ET
Prediction: correct Nurmagomedov correct Decision
"The only thing predictable about MMA is that it is unpredictable."
11.27.2017 | 8:24 AM ET
Prediction: correct Nurmagomedov correct Decision
"Everyone's second favourite grappling dummy"
12.23.2017 | 6:29 AM ET
Prediction: wrong Barboza wrong KO/TKO wrong Round 1
12.23.2017 | 8:52 AM ET
Prediction: correct Nurmagomedov correct Decision
"The only thing predictable about MMA is that it is unpredictable."
12.24.2017 | 7:21 PM ET
Prediction: wrong Barboza wrong KO/TKO wrong Round 2
"Global Combat MMA"
12.25.2017 | 2:55 AM ET
Prediction: wrong Barboza wrong KO/TKO wrong Round 3
"Grrr."
12.25.2017 | 11:03 AM ET
Prediction: correct Nurmagomedov correct Decision
"The only thing predictable about MMA is that it is unpredictable."
12.27.2017 | 10:52 PM ET
Prediction: correct Nurmagomedov correct Decision
12.28.2017 | 7:50 AM ET
Prediction: correct Nurmagomedov correct Decision
"The only thing predictable about MMA is that it is unpredictable."
12.28.2017 | 8:36 AM ET
Prediction: wrong Barboza wrong KO/TKO wrong Round 2
"here I come to save the day"
12.28.2017 | 12:05 PM ET
Prediction: correct Nurmagomedov correct Decision
"When a game cannot be won, change the game."
12.29.2017 | 4:43 PM ET
Prediction: correct Nurmagomedov wrong KO/TKO wrong Round 3