Late hasty post the main card just started! Had to buy a new phone, I procrastinated etc. But it's all good. Always fun to get some thoughts out beforehand and see how it goes down in reality and how legacies change as fighters. There are a lot of legacy altering fights today!
This Russian middleweight Shara Magomedov guy just had ANOTHER insane Maxtrix/Ninja type of knockout! A double backfist knockout that looked like it came out of a video game. He looks like the next big fighter for sure, a modern, evolution of the game type of fighter. Light on his feet, athletic, explosive, creative. Nuts man.
The last three fights on this card are nuts. Two fights with championship implications and a championship fight in one of the most popular divisions in the UFC, the Men's Featherweight Championship.
Magomed Ankalaev and Aleksandar Rakic fight in a massive light heavyweight matchup. These men have been on the cusp of a championship for years and have been very active. This could be a dog fight no doubt and is pretty legendary for the division and how it plays out going forward.
Khamzat Chimaev and ROBERT WHITTAKER fight and man this is going to be outstanding. Khamzat is a bit of a hype train to some, but his resume is pretty great. I'll admit Khamzat has not been the most active fighter but people forget just how active he was when he first hit the scene. Now he has been more selective and methodical it seems and I don't blame him. He is still very young and has a huge target on his back these days. He has had some hard fights already and is UNDEFEATED.
Robert Whittaker will be the second former champ Khamzat has fought in a row and will be Khamzat's hardest test to date I believe. Robert Whittaker's pedigree is unquestioned. He is just a legend and a shoo-in Hall of Famer. Always fun to watch.
This fight likely get's a title shot for either fighter and is a substantial legacy boosting fight for both guys. This is a massive middleweight domino not just for the now, but this will impact the sport in a big way I believe. These guys are just two huge names when you really think about it.
Max Holloway vs Champion Ilia Topuria is going to have my heart RACING. This fight is why you watch the sport. Simple as that. This fight is PEAK MMA. 145 pounds is probably bigger than you think especially when these fighters have very little fat. Also, any MMA fan knows these fighters walk around probably at least 165 pounds or more these days. This weight class has the greatest mix of speed and power and skill I believe. This is like the average size of a human man weight class. Relatable to most to an extent.
Max is not a Champion anymore, but he is still one of the most well liked and famous fighters ever. Despite not being champion, his stock may be as high as it's ever been since he knocked out Justin Gaethje in one of the most metal ways that's ever been seen in the UFC back in the spring.
Ilia Tpouria is a young savage himself and knocked out the guy Max Holloway lost THREE times to. I mean, that says a lot to me.
As I write this I think Max might really be in trouble today. Plus, Topuria is younger which statistically favors Ilia. It does feel extremely silly to count out Max and assume MMA math really applies to a goat like him.
I have also loved Max and Ilia's trash talk to each other. It is it's own flavor of trash talk but very intense. The magnitude of this fight does not seem lost on either guy I feel.
Can Max re-capture his belt, or can Ilia seriously rock the MMA world with two of the biggest wins in a row the division has seen in a long time!
I AM READY.
