themmablog

[themmablog]

The cloud looming over the fallout of UFC 229

After Khabib Nurmagomedov’s huge victory over the Notorious one, he stands at the top of the division; 27-0. No other fighter has held such a perfect record like Khabib has. People will look at this fight and bring up the post fight antics. Taking away the Eagle’s flawless performance against the biggest superstar the world of MMA has ever seen.

The weight of this fight was resting heavily on Khabib’s shoulders. Conor McGregor will go to extreme lengths to get inside his opponent’s heads. The lead up to this one was no different. Considering the history between these two, It’s no wonder we witnessed such a poor choice in the heat of the moment by Khabib.

Two wrongs does not make a right. Khabib had the opportunity to bury the hatchet. Show that there is a legitimate respect between the two fighters. (edit) There was a moment at the end of round 3 where Conor tells Khabib “it’s only business”, as it always is with him. We’ve seen Conor after his fights, embrace his opponent. Win or lose. It was definitely a reach to think otherwise for this fight to be the same. Once the lines were crossed with family and religion, Khabib knew after defeating McGregor. It would not be the end of their rivalry.

I want to shed light of what Conor has said in the past about the opponent’s he has faced. He detailed that it was always just business to build up fights. They are all trying to achieve the same thing, he respects everyone that lives the rough lifestyle that MMA brings. He understands it’s all hard work. The game is unforgiving but they all take that chance once they step into the cage. With Khabib, I feel it’s no different. He saw Khabib as the next biggest obstacle in his career. And there’s one thing about Conor that people overlook, the man takes chances. He fights the toughest match ups. Aldo pulls out, in steps Chad Mendes; powerful wrestler with heavy hands. Aldo; the reigning featherweight champion that has gone undefeated in 10 years. Dos Anjos pulls out, in steps Diaz; durable, lengthy boxer, black belt in BJJ, with a bulletproof mindset. Alvarez; pressure wrestler with heavy hands. Mayweather; P4P #1 boxer in the world. Nurmagomedov; the most dominant fighter the sport of MMA has ever seen. You can throw Conor under the bus for the things he says but he’ll always have that huge following of people that look to him as inspiration. He faces adversity with a smug look on his face and marches forward, hands up.

What’s next for Khabib and Conor, lies on the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Khabib and the winner in the co-main makes the most sense in my opinion.

Everybody is talking about the main event (including myself) but what we got from the co-main event was nothing short of spectacular. Tony Ferguson v Anthony Pettis was action packed as expected. Ferguson has become the most unorthodox striker in the UFC in my opinion. His techniques are unconventional but work phenomenally in his favor. We already know Showtime is ready to put on a show whenever he steps into that octagon. El Cucuy was game. We witnessed a solid back and forth round one with Tony edging it out with his pressure. He holds such a relentless pace that he makes his opponents feel like they are drowning. No room to rest or breath or reset. He’s in your face, jabbing or kicking.

Round 2 comes to a start, we see Ferguson take the center of the octagon. Pushing Pettis against the fence. After Tony’s throws his combo’s, we see his lead hand drop for a split moment every time. Sure enough, I was not the only one that noticed. Pettis timed a right hand flush on the chin of Ferguson that stunned him and dropped him. Pettis, on the cusp of victory goes for the kill. Chasing Ferguson down only to end up in his guard. One thing is for sure, Tony Ferguson recovers quickly from being stunned and dropped. Ferguson is able to get back to his feet and once again, pushing Pettis back and pressuring him to the end of the round as Pettis tries to get off a cartwheel kick. In between round 2 and 3, Pettis’ corner has to call the fight due to an injury to his right hand. Which previously has gone through surgeries.

With an unsatisfying end to quite possibly the fight of the night, we understand fighter safety comes before anything else. There’s no denying Pettis would meet Ferguson right in the middle of that octagon for 5 more minutes to see the end bell. We hope to see that closure while both of these men are still at the top.

One man who stole the show and the hearts of everyone around the world, Derek “The Black Beast” Lewis. I started following Lewis’ career when he fought on the Houston card for Cormier vs Gus in 2015. He got the knock out that night on the UFC Fight pass prelims. I was impressed by his devastating power. After going on a solid run, he came face to face with a man who had devastating KO power as well in the likes of Mark Hunt. A solid test for Lewis but he did not prevail. We’ve become aware that Lewis does have back issues which showed during that fight. Lewis was able to bounce back and get a ferocious knockout against then opponent, Marcin Tybura. In a fight he was down once again but got the come from behind KO to seal the deal. Much like Tybura, Volkov met the lunch box that Lewis packs in that right hand before being finished with 11 seconds left in a fight Lewis was down 2 rounds to none. An amazing comeback from an exciting fighter. He also delivered the greatest post fight octagon interview ever outside of Diaz and McGregor. Removing his shorts and laying in the center of the octagon. Joe asks him “why’d you take off your pants?” and Lewis, with no hesitation “cause my balls was hot.”

There’s much more things to say about an unforgettable night of fights, but UFC 229 is without a doubt the biggest night in MMA history.

(by Christian Lopez)