UFC 277: Peña vs. Nunes 2

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

Apologies, I didn't word that reply great. You obviously didn't put words in Nunes' mouth. Yes, I think her claiming she "sprained both of her knees" and thus "had a bad training camp" is a really lame excuse when the very obvious issue was her cardio. She displayed a troubling lack of fight IQ and then quit instead of trying to fight off a submission.

It was an abysmal performance for a supposed two division champion and 1st ballot shoe in Hall of Famer. The fact that she went out of her way to say these things isn't exactly inspiring. We all saw what happened. She tried to walk through her opponent, gassed herself, and quit. 

This guy is apparently a decorated Muay Thai champion. I'm pretty sure if he just tries to head kick Morales 7 times in the first 4 seconds he'll be asleep immediately but I'm definitely intrigued. 

This card is a crapshoot for DK.

the 2017 World Sambo Championship held in Sochi, the Ukrainian Ihor Potieria participated in the Combat Sambo category in the 100 kg weight class. In the first round he scored a win against Siarhei Firsau (who would go on to win a bronze medal at the 2018 European Sambo Championship) by triangle choke. In the second round he managed to beat Frenchman Mathieu Petit after getting 2 knockdowns (stoppage and 9-0 score). In the semis after getting a takedown he was caught in a kimura by Thoedoras Aukstuolis. The Gold Medal Winner was Vadim Nemkov after winning the final against Theodoras Aukstuolis. 

In the absence of a footage with the Potieria fights (there is a 3-hour video on the official SamboFIAS channel where I saw the 3 Potieria fights, but I will not attach a 3-hour video to the thread). I will post the video link of Vadim Nemkov's path to the gold medal: at minute 1:30 you can see Ihor Potieria (UKR) on the podium in third place alongside Raikhan Madi (KAZ).

P.S.#1: There is no bronze medal fight for which both Potieria and Madi were both awarded the Bronze medal.

P.S. #2: The bracket of the tournament was not exactly 16 fighters: in the sense that to get to the semifinal Potieria needed to win 2 previous fights, while Aukstuolis only fought once before the semifinals. Nemkov, being champion of the 2015 edition, only fought in the semifinals against Madi (who probably had one or two fights before facing Nemkov) and the final against the Lithuanian Aukstuolis.

* Edited at 07.30.2022, 3:55 AM ET *

And here I am thinking Nunes has been overrated all along. She's not particularly skilled, she's just freakishly strong in a pool of not very athletic women competitors.

I look at the Cyborg stoppage a lot like Conor's ko of Aldo - if they didn't get the early stoppage they would have got mashed. That's just my opinion. Point being - she got by a lot of women by being physically stronger and sometimes lucky when she met her physical matches. Note her GDR fight, she got exposed and she's damn lucky GDR was haggard and inexperienced grappler.

@split believe it or not he said "thats just my opinion" so that would be his opinion. Agree or disagree.

* Edited at 07.30.2022, 6:42 AM ET *

He's right. People were acting like she's unbeatable lol

Peña vs. Nunes II
Amanda Nunes, DEC
WMMA

Moreno vs. Kara-France II
Brandon Moreno, DEC
Moreno out points him in deep waters.

Lewis vs. Pavlovich
Derrick Lewis, TKO, R2
One of the toughest fights to call. If Lewis gets KO’d here his time as a serious part of the division is over. I’ll say he rolls the clock back one more time here. No bet outside of props on this one.

Pantoja vs. Perez
Alexandre Pantoja, DEC
Pantoja is a little better in most areas and will win the important moments.

Ankalaev vs. Smith
Magomed Ankalaev, TKO, R3
I would not bet this one. Ankalaev has more paths to victory.

Morono vs. Semelsberger
Matt Semelsberger, TKO, R2
I think Semi the Jedi smashes him.

Dober vs. Alves
Drew Dober, TKO, R1
Dober is a dog and catches him late in the first.

Mayes vs. Abdelwahab
Don'Tale Mayes, TKO, R2
Another no bet. I think Lord Kong smashes here but too many variables and unknowns.

Klose vs. García
Drakkar Klose, DEC
I was thinking upset with the wrestling here but Klose has beat a better wrestler than Rafa. I think Klose but Rafa has a path if he can get it to the ground.

Morales vs. Fugitt
Michael Morales, TKO, R1
Fuggit gets fugged up.

Kim vs. Edwards
Joselyne Edwards, DEC
WMMA

Negumereanu vs. Potieria
Nick Negumereanu, DEC
This was going to be my upset on the card but the odds flipped mid week so I guess I’m taking the fav in a close fight.

Cosce vs. Diamond
Orion Cosce, DEC
I have no idea on this one. No bet. But coach should use wrestling to neutralize 🩸 💎

Exactly why I picked him. Sambo athletes are hard to deal with. 

I really hope Derrick wins 

* Edited at 07.30.2022, 8:36 AM ET *

I definitely see what you're saying. Nunes starched supposedly the top dog in WMMA in like less than a minute as an under dog. She instantly became terrifying and the scariest women on the planet. She followed that up by returning to 135 and starching Holly Holm in the first round.

But that was 3 years ago. I don't think saying prime Nunes was 2015-2020 is a ridiculous statement. She has a baby now and still has another belt. Personally, and I said this a page back, I think Nunes is probably done at 135. I think she is genuinely going to try to win it back tonight but I don't think she's interested in making this weight cut too many more times. 

The Nunes I saw lose to Pena loses to Shevchenko and GDR in rematches and probably loses to Vieira also. If Juliana Pena completely breaks you in 8 minutes anything is possible.