UFC 271: Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

PlusMoney yeah for sure, I still wish we saw GSP go against that new strand of MW like Whittaker and Romero but he was obviously just done. 

I would say my top 5 MW are Anderson, Izzy, Weidman, Bisping, Rich Franklin/Hendo/TRTor Belfort

Yeaaaaaa I'm bringing out the facts from UFC on FX and spike Tv days. I respect Whittaker in the all time conversation  but i think they are alot of guys who can't stand up in these conversation because the sport was in its infancy. Guys like Machida and Belfort skill for skill could hang with both of those guys 

* Edited at 02.11.2022, 3:10 PM ET *

I hate how people are so quick to overwrite the GOATs that come before them in MMA. It is such a young sport that when there is a new star everyone immediately starts up the argument of how they are better than the past eras. I love Izzy and think he is great, but he still has a while to go before he reaches Anderson status. 

As for Rob, he is a great great fighter but can you really put him up there with some of the greatest MW ever when he fought half his career at WW and only has one title defense?

awilson70 yea man that's how it works. Recency bias rules the world. The new toy is always ppl's favorite one

* Edited at 02.11.2022, 3:11 PM ET *

For sure man, if Izzy gets another ice cold finish on Rob again then that could do wonders. I fear it could be a more competitive Izzy-Vettori though where Rob sits back and gets some shots in but ultimately loses a decision.

awilson70 Respect. As i was typing about Belfort you were speaking up for him. Rich Franklin had a real nice win streak in his prime, but skill for  skill i have Whittaker winning that fight 7/10 times 

Yeah for sure I sorta just feel bad for Rich he was a real solid fighter but most people just know him as the guy Anderson completely destroyed to start his run lol

I like Dan Henderson in the convo too but i didnt add him because he was a big mofo, he fought a lot at 205 but yea i think if he got his hands on Izzy (which isn't easy) he would control him and maybe finish him. But this is why i don't like to have these casual ass all time conversation. They are pointless and subjective. Izzy's fight history is a piece of dog sh*t compared to a guy like Bisping

* Edited at 02.11.2022, 3:21 PM ET *

ctfu i literally just watched UFC 64 and 77 franklin vs silva on youtube last week just to laugh. Franklin is definitely know for not being about to defend a Muay Thai clinch haha 

* Edited at 02.11.2022, 3:18 PM ET *

@awilson I'll always remember Rich Franklin for this

https://twitter.com/sstricklandmma/status/1492231921564196868?s=21

Even Strickland knows knight sucks lol

Strickland is the one of greatest weirdo of all time, since we are talking about GOATs HAHAHA

He said "even strickland knows WK sucks" as if Strickland is the epitome of intelligence HAHA

Mana Martinez vs. Ronnie Lawrence
Just think Lawrence's grappling is going to be way too much for Mana. Mana could land a clean KO shot to put his lights out but think Lawrence controls the fight and pushes the pace on him to win a decision.

Lawrence by UD

A.J. Dobson vs. Jacob Malkoun
This is going to go one of two ways. Dobson bull rushes Malkoun and smokes him similarly to Hawes or Malkoun weathers the storm and controls the fight with his wrestling pedigree. I would take Malkoun but his chin has shown to fail him against power punchers, so I think Dobson finds the KO shot in round 1.

Dobson by KO R1


Douglas Silva de Andrade vs. Sergey Morozov
Im tempted to pick Andrade however Sergey has impressed me with his relentlessness of his takedown attempts. That man literally will try and try and try again before you look up and he has top control. I think Morozov avoids the power shots and wears on that Andrade gas tank and rides it to a comfortable 30-27.

Morozov by 30-27 UD

Jeremiah Wells vs. Mike Mathetha (Blood Diamond)
Man y'all have no idea how much I wanna side with BD here. If he could survive the early onslaught of takedowns that I expect from Wells, I could see the high striking IQ from Mathetha to get him a late finish however with such little experience and Wells grappling ability training with those guys in Philly and Sean Brady. I think Wells gets a 1st or 2nd round sub.

Wells by Sub R1

William Knight vs. Maxim Grishin
What a crappy fight lol. I was sorta excited for it but after Knight obviously does not try to make weight it just makes it feel like a joke. Don't know how it plays out but I guess I will side with Knight's strength as I think he gets inside on Grishin, lands power shots and rides him up against the cage for a close decision.

Knight by 29-28 UD

Love that Derrick Lewis has to make non-championship weight. 

Andrei Arlovski vs. Jared Vanderaa
This is the most tricky fight on the card in terms of picking a winner for me. Vanderaa is complete and utter a$$ but he has the size and power advantage over an older Arlovski. I trust Arlovski to pick him from the outside and get the decision win.

Arlovski by 29-28 UD

Roxanne Modafferi vs. Casey O'Neill
Ah yes, Roxy's last fight. She gets dominated in every sense imo. She finds a way to not get finished however and Casey gets a dominant decision win.

O'Neill by 30-26 UD

Kyler Phillips vs Marcelo Rojo
In this fight, I think the odds are too heavy especially after Kyler's last performance. I do think Rojo stands a chance however Phillips is the more skilled fighter. I personally think Kyler could have a submission opportunity, my pick is Kyler by sub in round 2.

Phillips by Sub R2

Carlos Ulberg vs. Fabio Cherant
Do not really see a good path to victory for Cherant in this one. I think Ulberg learned from his debut and will pick his shot selection more carefully. Even if he gasses in the 3rd, I think he will bank the first two rounds. I think Cherant however gives in to Ulberg's pressure and gets finished in the 1st.

Ulberg by KO R1

Israel Adesanya (c) vs. Robert Whittaker
Very excited for the rematch. I think it will definitely be a different fight than the first, Rob will be more patient and pressure more as the fight goes on and as he believes Izzy gets more tired. In my opinion, we see this one go to a decision and Rob is good enough to get 1 or 2 rounds however, I believe Izzy wins a close decision to retain his belt.

Adesanya by 48-47 UD

Derrick Lewis vs. Tai Tuivasa
What a barnburner. At least I hope it is one. I think Tai will try to play the strategic game and pick at Derrick's legs for a little bit but with both of these guys in the same octagon, there is no way they don't have a point where they just stat launching haymakers. In that scenario, I trust the Black Beast more. Derrick finishes the fight with a right hand in round 2.

Lewis by KO R2

Jared Cannonier vs. Derek Brunson
I am very interested in this matchup, I am a huge fan of Blonde Brunson as whether it is boring or not this last streak that revived his career has been impressive. I am scared of this matchup though as Jared is a beast and has the strength and skills to stuff takedowns. However, if Derek gets it to the ground, I believe he has his way with the ground and pound. In the end, I feel like Cannonier will definitely wobble Brunson at least one time however I believe Brunson does just enough over the course of 3 rounds to get a decision.

Brunson by 29-28 UD

Alexander Hernandez vs. Renato Moicano
This is another tricky matchup, Hernandez definitely has the power advantage but Moicano is more skilled. I am picking Moicano to do more over three rounds and win a decision, however his chin is very suspect sometimes and it would not surprise me to see Hernandez land a overhand right that shuts the lights off.

Moicano by 30-27 UD

Bobby Green vs. Nasrat Haqparast
This is a damn good main card, all fights have potential to be very action packed and this one may have the most action. This is going to be a close decision imo, it is just up in the air on who wins it for me. In the end, I believe the volume and experience of Bobby Green gets it done and he wins a close split decision.

Green by 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 SD