UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

Volkov couldnt finish with Emilia Clarke in under 5, let alone against harris

Those are some nice hams 

Volkov vs. Harris
Alexander Volkov, DEC
I like the stylistic match up between the two, Volkov isn't the type to trade recklessly with Harris in round 1 which is Walt's only win condition (Round 1 KO). I could see Harris giving Volkov problem's in the first, as his early blitz's are explosive, however Volkov with the superior cardio, IQ and range should get a clear decision, or late finish as Walt could gas.

 Do Anyone else think Khabib could Kick a few UFC heavyweight Ass. I  think he would easly beat  the scrub who Tom Aspinal a fought a week or 2 ago,Tom took him down and went straight to mount,. He didn't have any guard.It like he didn't even did grapling in his life  I would also pick Khabib if he fought Tai Tuvisa to be honest, even tho Tai would have a 70 pound weight advantage because Khabib is about 200 pound. It be like  pride

* Edited at 10.21.2020, 3:27 AM ET *

Not sure about that but if he gets through Gaethje on Saturday, he will have the toughest test of his career waiting for him in GSP.  The young GSP (post Serra) would definitely beat the current version of Khabib because not only would he have matched him in wrestling but he had the far superior boxing ability then.  That's exactly what it takes to beat Khabib: negate his wrestling and make him fight a standup war for 5 rounds.  Remember Usman and Covington?  Both elite wrestlers who didn't even try to wrestle but strike instead.  That's the type of fight that needs to be done to knockout Khabib or win on points for 5 rounds. 

 

* Edited at 10.21.2020, 4:43 AM ET *

Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje
Khabib Nurmagomedov, DEC
Khabib is one of the GOATS.

Whittaker vs. Cannonier
Robert Whittaker, DEC
Whittaker the MUCH better fighter in ever aspect, i was impressed Cannonier beat Hermansson but i extremely doubt he will see off Whittaker.

Hawes vs. Malkoun
Phil Hawes, TKO, R1
Hawes is a beast, expect him to flatten Malkoun on his UFC Debut.

Murphy vs. Shakirova
Lauren Murphy, DEC
Yawn.

Ankalaev vs. Cutelaba II
Magomed Ankalaev, TKO, R2
Will probably get called off before Saturday but Ankalaev is better in every aspect.

Struve vs. Tuivasa
Tai Tuivasa, TKO, R2
Struve is ****, but then again so is Tuivasa.. but i do fancy Tuivasa to finish him.

Jung vs. Alvey
Da Un Jung, TKO, R1
Sam Alvey won't be smiling after this.

Kenney vs. Wood
Nathaniel Wood, SUB, R2
Always back the English prospect, Wood was beating Dodson before the KO.

Alvarez vs. Yakovlev
Joel Alvarez, SUB, R1
Alvarez looked good against Duffy, should be able to expose Yakovlev submission defense.

Anyone who thinks gaethje’s kicks are his path to victory should reconsider. Kicks make you susceptible to take downs. gaethje also kicks from really close quarters, this is usually very effective but i think its counter productive in this fight and exacerbates the above situation. Gaethje also walks forward, throws bombs and does not use a ton of lateral movement.

So i hope when people are laying money down on that +250 line because gaethje was an all Americans wrestler they Keep in mind that when he was a D1 wrestler,.....he trained wrestling specifically every single day for the sole purpose of being a better wrestler....and then he competed in wrestling competitions. With Khabib on the horizen im sure he has been doing a lot more of that for this fight......but thats not what has been happening since his MMA career. Bjj, striking etc etc....it takes away from the day to day wrestling training. I would assume he would do worse in a wrestling competition  today then he would have when he was in the D1 program.  

Khabib has used wrestling in mma more effectively than anyone....ever....and hes doing it right now...not when he was in college 10 years ago. 

He did it to Connor who has pinpoint striking and knockout power.

He did it to Poirier.....who i think is the second best in the division. Poirier looked 10/10 slick against Hooker...he looked 0/10 Slick against khabib.

Can Gaethje knock out khabib? Yup.....

If thats your thought process you might as well parlay gathje by KO and sam alvey by KO and shoot for the moon. 

Gaethje is +250 right now
Alvey is +265

I wouldn’t dare put money on Alvey but emotions aside he has just as good of a chance or better as gaethje with an extra 15 points.....But i guess then you cant brag to your friends that you picked the guy who derailed khabib.......

Gaethje is an underdog in this fight for a reason......and there is better dogs to pick each and every week. 

* Edited at 10.21.2020, 9:23 AM ET *

Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje
Justin Gaethje, TKO, R2
I'm being a contrarian to make a point. This isn't running the 400m, and it's not throwing a ball down a field. At the highest level of this sport there is undoubtedly an element of luck and quite frankly Gaethje has a punchers chance. For any of you Dag-Simps Khabib is not a god, he's just the best fighter alive at the moment. His brain is connected to his spine and it can be shut off just like anyones. Line split is accurate though.

Whittaker vs. Cannonier
Robert Whittaker, DEC
In 5 rounds Whitaker finds a finish. In three it's probably going to be a decision. You can't be getting outstruck by Hermansson in the first and expect me to have faith that you can catch the big punch you need to put out Whittaker. Keep playing with your stones on the beach my man.

Volkov vs. Harris
Alexander Volkov, TKO, R3
Hard fight to call. Harris is very atheltic and HIGHLY motivated here. A smart Volkov can run circles around Harris for 100 rounds out of 100 though. Only reason is that I pick Round 3 is I expect Walt to get desperate as the fight runs away from him and to walk onto a big punch.

Kenney vs. Wood
Nathaniel Wood, DEC
This is my other super edgy pick. Wood is a better striker and wrestler than Kenney IMO. But I'll be happy to be proven wrong when the time coems.

Khabib not losing Saturday

Dear Fortune, I feel like I can call you Fortune because you and me are so alike. I'd like to meet you one day, it would be great to have a spar. I know I can't throw as fast as you but I think you'd be impressed with my speed. I love your hair, you run fast. Did you have a good relationship with your father? Me neither. These are all things we can talk about and more. I know you have no been getting my letters because I know you would write back if you did. I hope you write back this time, and we can become good friends. I am sure our relationship would be a real knockout!

^
hilarious

All jokes aside the teller has some good picks this week

We just gonna ignore that Tap announced a Brave44 matchup in this thread of all places. It had me fooled for half a second. I was like there is no way Dana signed Abbas Khan to make his pro debut in the UFC. Good one Tapology ya got me this time. 

Murphy vs. Shakirova
Lauren Murphy, DEC
Dog or pass

Jung vs. Alvey
Sam Alvey, TKO, R2
Dog or pass