UFC 259: Błachowicz vs. Adesanya

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

Nunes vs. Anderson
Amanda Nunes, SUB, R1
Despite the height advantage I think this will be another highlight like the finishes to Tate, Holm, Rousey and Cris Cyborg (all former UFC champions). Play by Play would be like this: Nunes drops Anderson, then continues with G&P, get the back, Nunes closes a rear-naked choke and Megan Anderson taps. Everything in the first half of the first round.

Yan vs. Sterling
Petr Yan, TKO, R2
After watching the Petr Yan vs. Magomed Magomedov and analyzing the statistics of the Russian in UFC I can conclude that he manages a decent knockdown defense and when Magomedov managed to knock him down he never exposed his neck and Magomedov was in greater danger from an armbar or triangle choke. While the champion's path was easier than the challenger's, Yan handles excellent boxing and Sterling's jaw is considerably questionable. A good Team Serra strategy would be for Sterling to wear Yan down for the first few rounds, then try to grab his back and look for a Standing rear-naked choke. But I think the champion manages great striking and great KO power and those will be the keys to his first successful defense.

Santos vs. Rakić
Aleksandar Rakić, DEC
Marreta is unpredictable and manages a good explosiveness, however Rakic always has a great game plan for each fight: leg kicks, displacement and looking for the takedown can be the keys for the Austrian. I don't think Santos has that much of a KO chance, Glover Texeira was able to survive the first and third round scares (and it should be remembered that Glover was brutally Knocked Out by Rumble Johnson and Alexander Gustafsson. Thiago Santos is emotional (which can be both positive but also negative), Rakic is characterized by Fight IQ and sticking to the plan. I think Rakic can even get a KO in the second half of the fight, but he is more likely to take it by decision.

Cruz vs. Kenney
Dominick Cruz, DEC
Cruz is hands down one of the best MMA fighters ever, Solo has been beaten as a promising young rookie by King of the Cage and WEC superstar Urijah Faber (sweeping and creating the bases of the 135 and 145 lbs divisions ), defeated by Cody Garbrandt who made the performance of his life (being also the fighter with the fastest hands and the strongest puncher at that time at 135 lbs) and defeated by Cejudo who was in his best moment. Kenney has good shot volume, but that doesn't work on Cruz, the former champion is very elusive. Dominick Cruz has excellent footwork and takedown defense. Casey Kenney has his weapons, but Dominick Cruz is able to counter each one of them.

1 more day..  YES!!

Cruz vs. Kenney
Dominick Cruz, DEC
stick and move cruz. i feel a upset brewing plus dont see cruz losing 3 in a row.

Souza vs. Lemos
Amanda Lemos, DEC
souza lost to a 4 ft 11 girl two fights ago. gie me lemos here

Anyone else kinda nervous about the weigh ins? I just hope everybody made weight but I've got a bad feeling we might lose a couple of fights. It's a great card and there isn't a bad fight to lose so any cancelled fight would be a shame. 

* Edited at 03.05.2021, 7:22 AM ET *

@Stephen Terry i worry about losing a bout anytime  cause it just sucks regardless of the bout in my opinion cause even a bad fight on paper can deliver at times.

@GodCandy

That's the great thing about MMA is that any fight could be great and with this card especially, it looks like we've got 15 great fights. I'm sure some of them will be either better or worse than expected as there always is with any card but if all of these fights live up to their potential then we will have 15 amazing fights and I'd hate to see any of these go. We just have to hope they've all made weight. 

Agreed

I have a strange concern that Antesanya
may not be able to gain weight!

60% of tap taking Petr Yan. I really thought this would be much higher. I Think Yan is gonna KO Sterling and make him look silly. We shall see!

Petr Yan via Violet Backed Starling 3R
Petr Yan is a Junkyard Dog

@NgannouPunch

I can see how it comes off as hating on Sandhagen but I'm not sure if you read my entire post where I gave Sandhagen his props. Now it's entirely okay imo to dislike a fighter in the event he beats one of your favorites. I see you're a Ngannou fan right? What if Miocic wrestles him down and puts on a very effective yet boring lay n pray style of a fight. I'm sure your Fandom of Ngannou would make you dislike Miocic a little bit.  

I might add that Sandhagen's Knockout of Edgar was fantastic and likely to be in the running of KOTY.

@SOMEONE

Peter Yan ::walks out to "Another One Bites the Dust::

BAUTISTA  K2
Just don't see Jones having the skill to win this one

MEDIC  K1
Would love to see the Contender winners (Ulberg, Medic) get a W in their first UFC bouts, so stoked when a debut ends this way.  Both have the ability to shine in debut, hoping they will both have a brilliant night.

LEMOS  D
LET ME JUST SAY THIS:  I have a bad habit of making some picks based on choosing AGAINST a fighter I personally don't like, or think is overrated.  I am trying to work on this,  It is not going well as you can see,

MATTHEWS  K3
Not a popular opinion I know.  Jake has the power to do what I am pretty confident he will ultimately do.

ULBERG  K1
SEE:  MEDIC

ELLIOT S2
Tim has a maddening habit of eluding the win.  I'm giving Krause credit for having worked on this problem.

BORNTORIN S1
Likely to change this to Kai in last round or DEC

BENAVIDES  D
GONNA SCREAM AND LOSE MY MIND WHEN HIS HAND GETS RAISED!!!!
I So want to see him get a belt before he retires. He's a very good man and truly works his ass off to stay fightready in body and mindset.  Haters gonna hate but I'm all love for Joe.

PHILLIPS S3
Not sure but this is the way I'm leaning thus far.

CRUZ D
"There's No Such Thing As Ring Rust"
So elusive.  Jab and move, counterpunch and circle.  Repeat.  Experience and technique for the W.

RAKIC K3
My assumption here is that Rakic will reduce Santos' leg to toast and catch him with a punch late.

DOBER K2
Based on what Dober CAN do, although I'm hesitant that he WILL.  I'm leaning his way due to the power he packs, and I think he will unleash to his benefit,

YAN K5
Does Yan have more power, precision and technique?  It may be by a thin margin, but I vote yes.

NUNES  S2
On a given day, any great champion can be beat.  I just don't see Anderson being that person.

ADESANYA D
Did I say something about my bad habit?  Someone earlier said it's hard to choose Israel because he's so hard to like, and I agree.  If he can use his speed for a full 5 rounds, he may tire and frustrate Blachkovic.
I said MAY.  Israel could easily get clipped early by overplaying his stylebending. 

What's the over/under on how many fights we'll lose due to weight or health issues?

@stuthehistoryguy

Walk out song?

@SOMEONE

You said he was a Junkyard

@stuthehistoryguy

HA ha ha, nice 👍!

"Actually i heard this sentence in 
(WEIGTHING IN podcast, 
'he's fighting like a junkyard dog' and i used it)!"

Błachowicz vs. Adesanya
Jan Błachowicz, TKO, R2
Polska Power

Błachowicz vs. Adesanya
Isreal Adesanya, TKO, R4
The GynoBender is going to out strike "POLISH POWER" and land lethal leg kicks just as he did against Costa, Don't be surprised if this fight gets called even earlier than round four. I believe is is about to prove himself as the best fighter in the world right now, Pending a fight against Jon Jones

Nunes vs. Anderson
Amanda Nunes, KO, R4
Nunes Is going to knock The lights out of this slenderman looking ass chick, and is going to once again have her hand raised at the end of the fight

Yan vs. Sterling
Petr Yan, DEC
Yan will get the better of the striking until Aljo gets finished in this fight. but who knows if Aljo can push the pace is later rounds and keep to the wrestling. Going to be a Kickass Fight forsure.



Makhachev vs. Dober
Islam Makhachev, SUB, R2
Makhachev is going to look to dominate Dober on the ground who by any means is no easy night out, but Islam will keep Russia and AKA on his back as Khabib's retirement awaits.



Santos vs. Rakić
Aleksandar Rakić, DEC
Rakic is Better on the ground and I feel as if his striking might be superior too.
 
Cruz vs. Kenney
Dominick Cruz, DEC
The Dominator is back and ready to lay down a fookin beating, GOODNIGHT KENNEY!

* Edited at 03.05.2021, 12:56 PM ET *