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Morning After Takeaways Thread (because otherwise I'm writing a 5,000 word column four people will read):
Morning After Takeaways Thread (because otherwise I'm writing a 5,000 word column four people will read):
1. HUGE props to Gaethje, Wittman
That exchange between R4&R5 show you the work they've done, changes they've made. Gaethje didn't chase at all; patiently eviscerated Tony freakin' Ferguson.
Always was an interesting matchup for Khabib, even more so now.
That exchange between R4&R5 show you the work they've done, changes they've made. Gaethje didn't chase at all; patiently eviscerated Tony freakin' Ferguson.
Always was an interesting matchup for Khabib, even more so now.
2. The Game is The Game
Have to feel bad for Ferguson — W12, five missed dances with Khabib, no undisputed title shot — but that's just how it shakes out some times.
You risk your spot every time you step in there and this time, he got up-ended.
Have to feel bad for Ferguson — W12, five missed dances with Khabib, no undisputed title shot — but that's just how it shakes out some times.
You risk your spot every time you step in there and this time, he got up-ended.
3. We'll See with Triple C
If he's done, Cejudo goes out on an outstanding run. If he's not, there are lots of compelling fights out there for him, but none that make him serious bank.
Cejudo's had a Hall of Fame career and keeps getting better; I think we see him again.
If he's done, Cejudo goes out on an outstanding run. If he's not, there are lots of compelling fights out there for him, but none that make him serious bank.
Cejudo's had a Hall of Fame career and keeps getting better; I think we see him again.
4. The Game is The Game, Part II
That accidental clash of heads changed how that fight played out.
Not saying it changes the eventual result, but it might have, and it certainly altered how we got there.
That accidental clash of heads changed how that fight played out.
Not saying it changes the eventual result, but it might have, and it certainly altered how we got there.
5. Ngannou is Terrifying, but...
Have we really learned anything new these last four fights? Have we really seen that what happened against Stipe can't or won't happen again?
He has hellacious power and only needs one most times, but I'm not sure that fight is any different.
Have we really learned anything new these last four fights? Have we really seen that what happened against Stipe can't or won't happen again?
He has hellacious power and only needs one most times, but I'm not sure that fight is any different.
6. Calvin Kattar
If you didn't know, now you know.
Kattar is one of those zero flash guys that doesn't get the love he deserves, but that should change now because no one does that to Jeremy Stephens.
We need to start paying more attention to talented folks like him.
If you didn't know, now you know.
Kattar is one of those zero flash guys that doesn't get the love he deserves, but that should change now because no one does that to Jeremy Stephens.
We need to start paying more attention to talented folks like him.
7. Greg Hardy's Weird Career Continues
I usually hate the whole "Did they win or did the other team lose?" ploy on sports debate shows, but Yorgan De Castro just stopped fighting.
At this rate, I'm not sure we're ever going to get answers to the questions we have about Hardy.
I usually hate the whole "Did they win or did the other team lose?" ploy on sports debate shows, but Yorgan De Castro just stopped fighting.
At this rate, I'm not sure we're ever going to get answers to the questions we have about Hardy.
8. Oleinik / Werdum
Oleinik was in great shape, throwing hammers, pushing the pace; he was clearly up for this fight.
Werdum looked like he found out about it last Thursday and said, "Sure." He found his footing and had his moments, but I expected a lot more.
Oleinik was in great shape, throwing hammers, pushing the pace; he was clearly up for this fight.
Werdum looked like he found out about it last Thursday and said, "Sure." He found his footing and had his moments, but I expected a lot more.
