UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

Arman has a big athleticism advantage 

Damir has all the tools to win

I find it weird how people had Joel Alverez who never stuff a takedown in the UFC the same odds as Gamrot who an ADCC grappler and Damir who a good wresler also, People really over hype the Joel Alverez vs Arman Trukyan perfomance IMO, That fight was such a give me for Arman

Shows how good damir is

I honestly thought the odds would be a pickem 

Same. Damir is just as good as arman 

Arman is more athletic but I think he'll simply be outsmarted by Damir. I find Damir to be more skilled and make fewer mistakes - that's what'll win him the fight 

* Edited at 11.05.2022, 2:41 AM ET *

I actually think Damir is deceptively athletic, he has much more fluid striking than Arman too, Damir has some of the best combination punching, range management and striking defense at Lightweight along with arguably the divisions fastest hands. I think considering how well Frevola and Olivier Aubin Mercier stood up to Arman's wrestling, Damir will be successful enough in that department too, Damir's takedown defense has always been very very good and due to his striking, length and adeptness at fighting long its hard to get in on him anyways, offensively Damir's a pretty strong wrestler himself it's just not his primary game. Gas tank wise, this is a 3 round fight so I don't think it will be a huge factor, Arman has shown the ability to fight at a very hard pace and only really slowing down late into the third vs guys like Gamrot and Islam. Damir has never really shown a tendency to slow. I think a lot of this fight boils down to percetion, Arman is crazy young, super athletic and jacked and looked extremely impressive even in his losses to Islam and Gamrot. Damir is less aggressive, more defensively sound and tends to shut down others games rather than impose his, he has flown under the radar while Arman is on everyone's radar. Arman has great kicking off both legs but I think Damir has the speed and length to stymy it with his strong jab. 

I suspect a close fight, it doesn't surprise me Arman is a heavy favorite, I think that line will close some as the fight gets closer because there's smart money on Damir. Could go either way, I favor Damir personally, he's also been training with Kazakh wrestling and boxing teams lately. 

@khanate great breakdown. I too think the jab of damir is gonna be the equalizer here. It’s easily his best weapon 

I don’t think Arman should be 2 to 1 but I do think he beats Damir with a close but clear decision

Nchukwi vs. Petrino
Vitor Petrino, TKO, R1
92% is a little crazy but I do think this fight goes 1 of 2 ways. Petrino by devastating 1st round KO or Tafon by technical and slow paced decision

* Edited at 11.09.2022, 2:57 PM ET *

Marquez vs. Winn
Julian Marquez, TKO, R2
This could be chaotic and fun.

Caceres vs. Erosa
Julian Erosa, DEC
Great fight and Fight of the Night potential for sure. That being said, I thought Erosa had done enough to face a ranked opponent... Caceres is a very decent fighter and top 15 level, but ranking wise, Erosa deserved something better.

Dvorak vs kape is now official for this card. Was just a rumor before 

Cannonier vs. Strickland
Sean Strickland, TKO, R3
God, who cares? Two broken goods MIDdleweights squaring off to see who gets to lose to the other top contenders. Fascinating. This one should have stayed scrapped.

Tsarukyan vs. Ismagulov
Damir Ismagulov, DEC
It's a crime that this isn't five rounds. Damir is better overall, just less athletic. He is a cleaner technician and three rounds favors him. Damir is a fascinating matchup for Islam and the other top dogs. Arman still has time. Let's get Damir to the top.

Royval vs. Albazi
Amir Albazi, SUB, R2
What a fight, I would love for this to be the main event. Albazi is supremely talented and I am so excited that he's fighing top contenders.

Marquez vs. Winn
Julian Marquez, TKO, R2
So, Deron Winn is still in the UFC, huh? Not for long.

Morozov vs. Newson
Sergey Morozov, DEC
Confusing matchmaking, Morozov is in the league above Newson,

Duraev vs. Oleksiejczuk
Michał Oleksiejczuk, TKO, R3
Duraev has been thoroughly fraud checked. Lord should be able to piece him up, wear him down, and get the finish.

Morales vs. Fakhretdinov
Michael Morales, TKO, R2
Morales went from the underdog on DWCS to a super prospect. Rinat is a huge test for him, and if Morales wins impressively, his stock will skyrocket.

Maheshate vs. García
Maheshate, DEC
Guys I'm starting to think that Rafa Garcia isn't the best lightweight in the world...

Nurmagomedov vs. Kakhramonov
Said Nurmagomedov, DEC
Said looked mortal against DSDA, but this is a easier style matchup for him. He is a cleaner technician than Kakhramonov and should be able to get a decision.

Caceres vs. Erosa
Julian Erosa, DEC
Erosa is on absolute fire, and he should have the edge over Caceres. This should be an incredible fight.

Nchukwi vs. Petrino
Vitor Petrino, TKO, R1
I like Petrino a lot as a LHW banger, Tafon has proven to be a pretty poor signing and this loss should mark the end of his UFC tenure. He could be fun in Bellator.

Dvorak vs Kape gonna bang 

If Adesanya wins the fight with Alex, The main event could be for the title fight for Strickland if he wins because honestly they're no one for Izzy to fight next, Middleweight be so dead if Izzy wins

Tsarukyan vs. Ismagulov
Arman Tsarukyan, DEC
I'm a big Gamrot mark and even I must admit Arman got robbed in his last outing. And who does he fight next? Another killer at 155 pounds. A battle of future top 5 guys once the squatters are ejected from the rankings