Hope everyone enjoyed the weekend wherever you’re reading this in the world. We had exciting fights with UFC 266 and a huge boxing event in the U.K. As usual please share, subscribe, like and comment!
UFC 266 Roundup!
There was a long break from the last two PPV cards with UFC 266 coming several weeks after UFC 265. But it was well worth the wait. We had the return of Nick Diaz and we also had a fight of the year contender go down between Brian Ortega and Champion Alex Volkanowski. The preliminaries also had an amazing “Comeback of the Year” fight between Merab Dvalashili and Marlon Moraes. This probably was my favorite bout of the night. We all were on our feet during this one!
I figured Moraes would go balls to the wall here as he was coming off a losing streak and wanted to solidify himself again in the Bantamweight division. Moraes had Merab stumbled and rocked for the first time in this career. Merab ended up recovering and getting the finish in the 2nd round. This fight showed me that Merab is literally willing to die in there. He’s going to be a real big issue in upper echelon of that division and already a huge superstar in his country of Georgia. I had the pleasure of speaking to him prior to this fight and he felt beyond ready. I think a great matchup for him next would be a returning Josh Emmett. As for Moraes, I think the UFC should still keep him, but maybe he goes down in weight and see how he feels at 125. He’s fought monsters at 135 and I think it’s time he towers over his competition.
Of course the fight we were all waiting for was here, the people’s main event. Nick Diaz took on Robbie Lawlor in a rematch 17 years in the making. Nick didn’t look very in shape on the scales and didn’t look to highly motivated. This worried me a lot that maybe he was going through a mental battle before this bout. Diaz opened the fight with a flying spinning kick and two went toe to toe from there. Diaz’s boxing looked crisp but just a little bit slow. Robbie looked like he was ready to stand and bang with Diaz, which he did and ended up with TKO victory as Diaz couldn’t continue into round 3. Though this was a good win for Robbie to get back in the win column, that wasn’t the story after this fight.
A question asked to me was, “Do you want to see Nick Diaz fight again?”. For me personally, I don’t NEED to see it. He didn’t seem to want to be in there, he didn’t seem like he enjoyed the process. As much respect as I have for this Legend, the pre fight interviews and just his demeanor didn’t seem of someone who wanted to be in the octagon. Nick has spent the past year enjoying life, from the parties to the vacations. Though to some people this might not be the ideal way of enjoying time off for someone who goes through so many training camps, it might be necessary to let loose a little bit. I feel in order for him to make a proper return he would need a year of training and at least a three month training camp. But if this was the last time we saw Nick in an octagon, I’m happy I was able to witness his Strikeforce title run and his amazing classics in the UFC and Elitexc. I don’t need to see a BJ Penn situation in where the career last longer than need be. Nick Diaz you are a legend no matter what decision you make and the people love you.
Finally in the main event we had a CLASSIC between surging contender Brian Ortega taking on Champion Alex Volkanowski. This fight was everything I expected it to be, though as I said in my previous post I felt Ortega could get a submission in the third round, which he almost did. Volkanowski being able to survive the deep guillotine choke showed exactly why he reigns over the division. Volkanowski almost finished the fight a couple times at the end of a couple rounds but ended up winning by decision in a back and fourth classic. Ortega has taken way too much damage in his two title opportunities. Thought he shows so much will, still pushing in that 5th round. If fans didn’t appreciate Volkanowski before they better hop on the train now. He showed heart, dominance and proved why he has yet to lose in the UFC. I hope to see a match up between a returning Henry Cejudo who wants to make UFC history by winning a title in a third weight class. I know there are other contenders but Volkanowski but if he wants to stay active, I say WHY NOT!
Usyk Takes Over Tottenham
This weekend we also saw undefeated Oleksandr Usyk defeat WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua taking all belts. This came as a shock to the boxing world as this being Usyk’s only third bout in the heavyweight division. This makes the top of the class very interesting, as Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua were originally set to fight in one of the U.K’s biggest bout maybe ever. Usyk has now entered the chat! What a performance by and undersized heavyweight and naturally a cruiserweight. I think Joshua is still a great boxer and knowing his team they’ll get an immediate rematch probably in Dubai but I don’t see it getting better for Joshua. This is just a bad matchup for him and I see him maybe facing possibly Wilder if he loses to Tyson Fury.
Mystic Music!
Of course I have to leave you all with a music recommendation for the week and weekend. The music recommendations I make can be old or new. This week I’ll go on something a little older and a classic to me. Check out one of my favorite albums, from one of my favorite artist. John Mayer’s “Born and Raised”. Perfect for the fall season that has finally arrived.
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