MMA General Discussion and Fight Announcements 7.0

[m9]

That'd actually be kinda hilarious. Maybe Nicco Montano can save the day.

Another thought, they could've moved Cyborg vs. Nunes to Brooklyn or Anaheim beforehand. It's way too late now but they probably knew they had limited options well in advance of last week when they started moving things around. Jones is big enough to carry a card on his own and that'd still be a pretty good card overall without the women's title fight. Maybe that was too risky with Jones and Gustafsson's history of fights falling through.

I thought about them moving Cyborg/Nunes as well. Agreed it seems too late, but you never know.

 

[pistolpete11]

I think they're just making a bigger mess of that division if they do an Usman vs. Askren interim title fight. This exact scenario just played out recently. They badly wanted another title fight but Woodley wasn't ready when they needed him so they did the Covington vs. RDA interim title fight. Woodley was ready pretty soon after that and they once again badly needed a title fight to fill a card but Covington wasn't ready now so they stripped him of the interim belt and made the Till fight. Now the cycle will begin again if they make that fight for Anaheim. Usman may not be fully recovered and ready when Woodley wants to return and there's also the issue of Askren and Woodley not fighting each other because they're teammates. Woodley just fought three months ago and will probably be ready sometime in February so they should just wait. Instead of blaming Woodley, they should blame the ridiculous number of cards they have and their poor planning.

Did they ever officially strip Covington of the interim belt? For the longest time, even after the Woodley-Till fight, they still listed him as the interim champ on UFC dot com. I can't tell if they still do because the new website is atrocious, but that was never clear to me.

That'd actually be kinda hilarious. Maybe Nicco Montano can save the day.

Another thought, they could've moved Cyborg vs. Nunes to Brooklyn or Anaheim beforehand. It's way too late now but they probably knew they had limited options well in advance of last week when they started moving things around. Jones is big enough to carry a card on his own and that'd still be a pretty good card overall without the women's title fight. Maybe that was too risky with Jones and Gustafsson's history of fights falling through.

They like to try and stack that New Years card and if you take Cyborg-Nunes off it, it's pretty weak to me. There are some big names or former big names like Condit, Mendes, Penn, Arlovski, Kat, but the only fight I'd really want to see was Jones-Gus.

 

[pistolpete11]

The plan (if Usman/Askren happens) from what I've heard is to book Woodley/Covington anyway, likely at UFC235.

If Usman wins, he can fight the Woodley/Covington winner. If Askren and Covington win, they would fight next.

The complicated scenario.. if Askren and Woodley win, Woodley would move up to 185lbs to challenge for the belt, and Askren would fight the next challenger at 170lbs.

Would they call Usman-Askren an interim title fight? Because if so, that is a terrible idea. That removes any remaining value of having an interim belt for the next however many years.

 

[m9]

Did they ever officially strip Covington of the interim belt? For the longest time, even after the Woodley-Till fight, they still listed him as the interim champ on UFC dot com. I can't tell if they still do because the new website is atrocious, but that was never clear to me.

They like to try and stack that New Years card and if you take Cyborg-Nunes off it, it's pretty weak to me. There are some big names or former big names like Condit, Mendes, Penn, Arlovski, Kat, but the only fight I'd really want to see was Jones-Gus.

I don't think they stripped Covington, no.

As for the NYE card, they used to stack it.. but not so much lately. We're a long way away from UFC 92 and the triple main event.

Would they call Usman-Askren an interim title fight? Because if so, that is a terrible idea. That removes any remaining value of having an interim belt for the next however many years.

Yes, they would do it for the interim belt.

 

[Peter Griffin]

Woodley is seeing a specialist about his hand tomorrow to see whether or not he's ok to fight at UFC 233. I guess he hasn't turned the fight down yet, just hasn't agreed to it. So there still is a chance that Woodley/Covington happens.

 

[pistolpete11]

I don't think they stripped Covington, no.

As for the NYE card, they used to stack it.. but not so much lately. We're a long way away from UFC 92 and the triple main event.

You're right. Looking back, they weren't as good as I remembered. At least not as deep, but they usually try to have 2 title fights and/or a monster fight (Jones-DC, Ronda) at the top. I guess you could argue that Jones-Gus is a monster fight, but I think it's a weak card without having both title fights. And who knows what will happen between now and fight night.

Yes, they would do it for the interim belt.

Just a terrible idea.

Woodley is seeing a specialist about his hand tomorrow to see whether or not he's ok to fight at UFC 233. I guess he hasn't turned the fight down yet, just hasn't agreed to it. So there still is a chance that Woodley/Covington happens.

*fingers crossed*

I'd be surprised if Woodley took a fight on such short notice, but he might be that confident he can beat Covington...which I think he should be. I don't see any way for Covington to beat Woodley.

 

[Avs_19]

Details of the new UFC/TSN agreement:

TORONTO (December 11, 2018) – TSN, RDS, and UFC®, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, have agreed on a multi-year renewal in which the networks continue to serve as the broadcast partners of UFC in Canada. The agreement, which includes extensive broadcast and digital rights, was announced live from Toronto on SPORTSCENTRE in advance of one of UFC’s biggest events of the year, UFC® 231: HOLLOWAY vs. ORTEGA, hosted at Scotiabank Arena.

Under the terms of the agreement, TSN and RDS are the home in Canada for 22 UFC Fight Night main cards and late preliminaries, as well as preliminary fights ahead of UFC’s 12 pay-per-view events. TSN and RDS will also broadcast Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series, focused on finding the next generation of UFC talent.

TSN and RDS will also distribute UFC content beyond linear broadcasts, including across social channels and via other Bell Media platforms, such as the short-form video content hub SnackableTV. The all-new Crave will feature a UFC collection where fans can stream content on demand, and as a result of UFC’s exclusive agreement with ESPN and ESPN+ in the United States, TSN viewers will also have access to original UFC content from ESPN.

The new agreement with TSN and RDS also allows UFC FIGHT PASS® to expand its offerings to customers in Canada with eight exclusive UFC Fight Night events and all Early Preliminary fights from each UFC live event. FIGHT PASS customers will also have access to the largest collection of combat sports programming in the world, featuring UFC’s full archive of historic events, classic bouts, and original content, as well as live events from leading independent promotions from around the globe.

TSN and RDS Extend Broadcast Partnership with UFC

Nothing really new from the other day but this confirms Fight Network is no longer involved. Everything will be on TSN and Fight Pass now.

 

[pistolpete11]

Details of the new UFC/TSN agreement:





TSN and RDS Extend Broadcast Partnership with UFC

Nothing really new from the other day but this confirms Fight Network is no longer involved. Everything will be on TSN and Fight Pass now.

Pretty good deal for you Canadians, eh?

I don't live in Canada or go deep enough into the UFC to care, but if you do, it's pretty cool that TSN will show the Contender Series. I thought they'd force you to buy Fight Pass to get that.

 

[Avs_19]

Pretty good deal for you Canadians, eh?

I don't live in Canada or go deep enough into the UFC to care, but if you do, it's pretty cool that TSN will show the Contender Series. I thought they'd force you to buy Fight Pass to get that.

Yeah, it's good. I would've preferred those 8 Fight Pass exclusive cards on TSN rather than the Contender Series but they're going to get you somewhere. I can't really complain since people in the US will have to pay for all those ESPN+ cards.

 

[m9]

Finally got a chance to watch the "Notorious" movie/documentary with Conor and I thought it was excellent.

My favorite part was Artem Lobov non-ironically going into details about losing fights and the best way to get over losses.

Really fun watch and it's hard to not like Conor & his crew after seeing something like that.

 

[m9]

Sounds like Cruz is out of UFC 233 with an injury and they are trying to get Garbrandt v Lineker.

Crazy stat? Dom Cruz has only fought 6 times in the UFC.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

Sounds like Cruz is out of UFC 233 with an injury and they are trying to get Garbrandt v Lineker.

Crazy stat? Don Cruz has only fought 6 times in the UFC.

Wow that is crazy

 

[m9]

Wow that is crazy

Donald Cerrone came over from the WEC at the exact same time and will be fighting in the UFC for the 30th time in January.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

Donald Cerrone came over from the WEC at the exact same time and will be fighting in the UFC for the 30th time in January.

Well he's a whole other beast. I have a lot of respect for Cerrone.

 

[tmurfin]

Details of the new UFC/TSN agreement:





TSN and RDS Extend Broadcast Partnership with UFC

Nothing really new from the other day but this confirms Fight Network is no longer involved. Everything will be on TSN and Fight Pass now.

The best thing here, is that CraveTV is getting some UFC programming, awesome.

Sounds like Cruz is out of UFC 233 with an injury and they are trying to get Garbrandt v Lineker.

Crazy stat? Dom Cruz has only fought 6 times in the UFC.

After getting KO’d twice, this is a TERRIBLE career move for Garbrandt.. As a fan of his, this is a bad matchup. He needs a real rebound fight.

 

[MD thaivuN]

After getting KO’d twice, this is a TERRIBLE career move for Garbrandt.. As a fan of his, this is a bad matchup. He needs a real rebound fight.

most of the Top 15 is pretty much a bad matchup for Garbrandt's chin at this point . the division is weirdly filled with power-punchers or KO-artists

 

[m9]

most of the Top 15 is pretty much a bad matchup for Garbrandt's chin at this point . the division is weirdly filled with power-punchers or KO-artists

Assuncao or Sterling would have been better fits if either of their opponents fell out of their upcoming fights.

I think Garbrandt will end up okay though because the guys coming up from 125lbs aren't generally too powerful and there will be matchups for him. This is kind of why I hated 125lbs - once you add those guys in there 135lbs is a pretty fun and deep division. Looking forward to 2019 at 135lbs.

 

[Avs_19]

Sounds like Cruz is out of UFC 233 with an injury and they are trying to get Garbrandt v Lineker.

Crazy stat? Dom Cruz has only fought 6 times in the UFC.

Damn. I had to go look this up because it sounds so crazy. 6 fights in the last 7 years and now reportedly needs shoulder surgery so it'll likely be a while before we see him again.

That card looked good as of last week and is now quickly turning into a mess. So much so that you have to wonder if they could cancel on Anaheim once again. Tickets go on sale this week and there's still no main event.

 

[m9]

Damn. I had to go look this up because it sounds so crazy. 6 fights in the last 7 years and now reportedly needs shoulder surgery so it'll likely be a while before we see him again.

That card looked good as of last week and is now quickly turning into a mess. So much so that you have to wonder if they could cancel on Anaheim once again. Tickets go on sale this week and there's still no main event.

UFC233 has been cancelled, or at least postponed.

 

[Avs_19]

UFC233 has been cancelled, or at least postponed.

That's the correct decision and better for the fans. These fights can make some of the surrounding cards better and now they don't have to screw with the WW division out of desperation.

 

[m9]

Yeah, it's great for fans. All of the surrounding cards should be good, no PPV $, and Bader v Fedor will be worth watching the same night for free.

I actually think 2019 will be very good for UFC PPVs. With nothing in January and a fun top of the card at UFC 234, lots of big fights to fill the cards starting at UFC235.

 

[tmurfin]

most of the Top 15 is pretty much a bad matchup for Garbrandt's chin at this point . the division is weirdly filled with power-punchers or KO-artists

Somewhat true, but Linekers combo of power AND an insane chin, is a death wish for Cody’s fighting style. He’s usually fast enough to nullify his opponents power and beat them to the KO, Lineker will walk through his punches and keep swinging

 

[m9]

Interesting quick read with CSAC's (California Athletic commission) Andy Foster talking about the Jon Jones thing.

CSAC: USADA’s process of handling Jon Jones’ UFC 214 drug-test failure ‘was a wreck’

My main takeaway: Finally we have someone from a commission stepping up and saying they need to get this process moving quickly. It's absolutely ridiculous how long it takes when people's lives/jobs are on the line and they are trying to figure out if someone has actually taken something illegal.

The intentions of USADA were great, but it's been a mess IMO and has really hurt the sport.

 

[m9]

With so many fights/cards being moved around or cancelled in January/February for the beginning of the ESPN era, here is where we are at currently in terms of notable fights:

UFC on ESPN+ 1 - Jan 19th
Cejudo v Dillashaw (flyweight title)
Donald Cerrone v Alex Hernandez
Glover Teixeira v Ion Cutelaba
PVZ v Rachel Ostevich
Joseph Benevidez v Deiveson Figueiredo
Thomas Almeida v Cory Sandhagen

Great card, IMO. You've got a fun title fight, Cerrone v Hernandez will be fun, and then a bunch of other relevant fights.

UFC on ESPN+ 2 - Feb 2nd
Marlon Moraes v Assuncao
Jose Aldo v Renato Moicano
Demian Maia v Lyman Good
Thiago Alves v Max Griffin
Alexa Grasso v Marina Rodriguez

Aldo v Moicano is a great add, and probably should be the main event. Plenty of Brazilian names lower down the card, too. Good card.

Other fights:
UFC 234: Whittaker v Gastelum
UFC 234: Anderson Silva v Israel Adesanya
UFC on ESPN 1 - Rivera v Sterling
UFC 235: Nick Diaz v Jorge Masvidal
UFC235: Ben Askren v Robbie Lawler


They need to start filling out cards with UFC234 & after, but the first couple ESPN cards look pretty solid.

 

[pistolpete11]

With so many fights/cards being moved around or cancelled in January/February for the beginning of the ESPN era, here is where we are at currently in terms of notable fights:

UFC on ESPN+ 1 - Jan 19th
Cejudo v Dillashaw (flyweight title)
Donald Cerrone v Alex Hernandez
Glover Teixeira v Ion Cutelaba
PVZ v Rachel Ostevich
Joseph Benevidez v Deiveson Figueiredo
Thomas Almeida v Cory Sandhagen

Great card, IMO. You've got a fun title fight, Cerrone v Hernandez will be fun, and then a bunch of other relevant fights.

UFC on ESPN+ 2 - Feb 2nd
Marlon Moraes v Assuncao
Jose Aldo v Renato Moicano
Demian Maia v Lyman Good
Thiago Alves v Max Griffin
Alexa Grasso v Marina Rodriguez

Aldo v Moicano is a great add, and probably should be the main event. Plenty of Brazilian names lower down the card, too. Good card.

Other fights:
UFC 234: Whittaker v Gastelum
UFC 234: Anderson Silva v Israel Adesanya
UFC on ESPN 1 - Rivera v Sterling
UFC 235: Nick Diaz v Jorge Masvidal
UFC235: Ben Askren v Robbie Lawler


They need to start filling out cards with UFC234 & after, but the first couple ESPN cards look pretty solid.

Those are some good cards, but I still think they are going to spreads things too thin. I mean, cancelling a PPV because you don't have enough fights to fill it up should be a major warning sign to the UFC. At this point, it's the right decision, but kind of embarrassing, if you ask me.

By the way, is UFC 234 still called UFC 234? Or does it become UFC 233?