-Israel Adesanya: Real coin flip here. Adesanya is 30 years old. Undefeated. 17-0 pro record. 6-0 UFC record. Really had a coming out party by knocking out Derek Brunson in the 1st round. And I felt like his fight with Anderson Silva was a sparring match he could’ve finished...
-Dustin Poirier: Yes, Khabib Nurmagomedov is undefeated at 27-0. 11-0 in the UFC. But I don’t buy into this idea that’s he the best pound for pound fighter in the UFC. Or that he’s unstoppable. The main reason is the lack of quality competition he’s beat and the fact...
-Daniel Cormier: The vast majority of rematches that happen in MMA, whoever won the first fight, will win the rematch. There’s exceptions, but it’s rare. Most of the exceptions have been when the fighter who won the first fight, wins by flash knockout. Which is how Cormier beat Miocic....
-Max Holloway: The UFC made this fight with Holloway and Edgar because they needed a title fight for this show and they want Alexander Volkanovski to get his title shot in October in Australia. On merit, Edgar hasn’t really done much to deserve this title shot. He’s coming off...
-Jon Jones: Thiago Santos has been on a roll and fighting a lot. He’s fought 12 times in the last 3 years. 35 years old. He’s known for his plus plus power, but I’d grade his striking technique as being only above average. The problem with Santos’ striking is...
-Henry Cejudo: Cejudo has developed two main paths to beating opponents. Using his plus plus wrestling to take the opponent down, grind and get a decision win. The other is to use his plus knockout power. History has shown that when Cejudo thinks he can be out struck, like...
-Rose Namajunas: Jessica Andrade is deserving of her 2nd shot at the 115 lb title, but Namajunas is a horrible matchup for her. I see 2 different ways Namajunas can win. I grade Namajunas as having plus plus grappling and even though Andrade has above average grappling in her...
-Max Holloway: In asking myself how good is Holloway, all I need to do is look at his last fight. Like, I really thought Brian Ortega was going to beat him. So for Holloway to finish Ortega was really special. I think Holloway has found a formula where he...
-Anthony Smith: UPSET SPECIAL: The biggest reason why Jones is undefeated and could go down as the best pound for pound fighter of all time is because he has almost no weaknesses. And I say almost because the only place Jones hasn’t been tested is off his back. Jones...
-Robert Whittaker: Whittaker reminds me a ton of Max Holloway. Take down defense is plus plus. And the cardio is a real weapon. I really thought Yoel Romero would be able to beat Whittaker, but Whittaker was able to stay fresher and hit Romero way more. And had a...