I share some thoughts, opinions, and takeaways from a memorable UFC 205 Pay-Per-View Card this weekend. I also recap how my predictions did:
-Love or hate Conor McGregor it does not matter to him; but you absolutely must respect his work in the octagon. The Irishman’s utter humiliation of Eddie Alvarez to win the UFC Lightweight Championship cements Conor McGregor in the pantheon of all-time great MMA fighters. I do not want to hear about Eddie Alvarez being a perfect opponent for McGregor and that he’s gotten an easy path in the UFC. No other all-time great: Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, and George St. Pierre were able to do what McGregor has now done by winning two championships in two different divisions. The win versus Alvarez cements his legacy forever, no matter where his career goes from here.
-McGregor’s takedown defense is improving; the few times Alvarez tried to shoot on him he was summarily prevented from getting McGregor to the mat. He’ll need to continue to improve his defense as Tony Ferguson or Khabib Nurmagomedov are absolute wrestling and grappling animals. If those are in fact Conor’s next opponents to defend his Lightweight belt, they will be the most dangerous grapplers he’s ever faced, but his improving defense in that area is encouraging if you are a McGregor fan.
-McGregor heckling Dana White and the UFC brass about paying him his fair share was fantastic; more of that please. The fighters need a voice like McGregor’s if they are going to ever see fair compensation for their talents.
-Khabib Nurmagomedov put a beating on Michael Johnson; he earned his title shot. If Nurmagomedov fights as aggressively as he did against Johnson; he will lose that stigma of being a dominant but boring fighter. Unfortunately for Nurmagomedov, I don’t think he’ll get his wish. I think the UFC knows Conor may lose to Tony or Khabib, and instead tries to get one more giant pay-day from their new Lightweight Champion. I think we’ll see McGregor vs Diaz 3, with Nurmagomedov vs Ferguson co-main event giving the winner of that fight the winner of Diaz vs McGregor. Fans, media, and the fighters may protest, but in the end everyone will deal with it, and everyone will watch that card.
-Tyrone Woodley and Stephen “Wonder boy” Thompson need to fight again, no build up, no extend talks, let’s see that again. If they need 20 rounds to find a winner so be it, I’ll be there to watch it.
-Joanna Jendrzejczyk championship reign will continue until she decides to stop. . Karolina Kowalkiewicz did her best to make it more competitive than I thought, but her best still wasn’t close to being enough. Dana White likes to ascribe Rousey as having the most dominant reign as a women’s champion, I think Jendrzejczyk has surpassed Rousey and it’s not even a debate
-Yoel Romero delivered a knee from hell to Chris Weidman’s head. However, prior to the knee Weidman did not look that great for the second consecutive fight. His once dominant wrestling and explosiveness appears to now be stiff, and unwillingness to push the pace. After two brutal knockouts in a row, one has to wonder, is Weidman done as a legit Middleweight contender? It’s early but that is starting to look like its possible.
-Miesha Tate had a phenomenal career, she constantly overachiever throughout her career and I do not mean that to disparage her. She got the absolute most out of her talent, and I’m glad she’s stepping away. She looked done as a fighter on Saturday night, and that’s the time to hang it up.
-Kelvin Gastelum should get cut; he’s wrecked too many cards for being just above average fighter.
-My picks should also get “cut” too; woof another bad round of predictions from me, UFC 205 was a tough card to call.
UFC 205 Predictions
Nurmagomedov vs Johnson (Over 2.5 Rounds -145) (Win) = +$100
Edgar vs Stephens (Frankie Edgar (-320) via unanimous decision) (Win) = +$24
Weidman vs Romero (Weidman (-165) via TKO) (Loss) = -$110
Jendrzejczyk vs Kowalkiewicz (Jendrzejczyk (-385) via TKO) (Win) = +$15
Woodley vs Thompson (Stephen Thompson (-195) via Knockout) & Under 2.5 Rounds (+110) (Loss/Loss) = -$210
McGregor vs Alvarez (Eddie Alvarez (+135) via submission) / Under 2.5 Rounds (-110) (Loss/Win) = $0
UFC 205 results (4-4) (-$171)
Prediction Record Year to Date (20-19-0) (-$371)
-Record & predictions based on Win vs Loss predictions only. Unless specified otherwise I use increments of $100 (for + odds predictions) & $110 (for – odds bets) as hypothetical wagers for each prediction.
-Predictions & Records are for entertainment value only
*Stats via www.UFC.com
