Sunday, May 27, 2018

UFC Liverpool Thoughts & Reflections

Amirkhani should've gotten a draw, 2 knockdowns in the first round for a 10-8 round, then perhaps on those paltry takedowns and stalling on top won the 2nd and 3rd rounds. That awkward right turn from being asked who he wants to face to referencing "that trip to Chechnya" and a visibly worried Manuwa was the funniest moment in a broadcast full of awkwardly awesome interview moments.

Allen pulled off a last minute submission against Burnell who's level changing and chain wrestling to top position and half-guard work had him well on his way to winning a decision. Excited to see both of them fight again soon.

The Dentist blubbering in the cage was awkward, but pulled of a good stoppage against Spicely who failed to drag him to the mat.

Taleb turned down opportunities where his opponent turned away, got tossed to the mat, and let a questionable leg log attempt lead to being mounted and then poorly defending a short choke/back take get him tapped in a fight he was handily controlling in the first round. Hopefully a learning experience for him as he was expertly catching kicks, turning them into knockdowns, and otherwise busting up Silva in the fight.

Tom Breese looked the part of younger, more athletic man, with an errant thumb knuckle grazing that put Kelly in a bad way then lead to a TKO/ref stoppage. I felt like the knuckled caught him in the eye, but hey, these things happen and the ref didn't step in to investigate.

The "elbow queen" was a boring clinch-fest and not exactly an amazing showing for someone claiming Muay Thai as her wheelhouse in MMA. No one saw that fight and was concerned to face her, especially not anyone with some takedown tools in their toolbox.

Neil Magny showed the difference between UFC veteran experience and up n' comer status. Granted White was a late notice replacement, but looked outclassed at the end.

Till failed to make weight by 3.5 lbs and given his prior weight cut fail in Sweden of 5 lbs, I'm not sold on him. Also, his 4 fight win streak in the UFC (2 fights of which he failed to make weight - this time IN HIS HOMETOWN AS A HEADLINER) speaks to some need for growth and maturity. There are several guys ahead of him with far better active win streaks and thus, Till should do some more professional-ism worthy work before getting a title shot. Fight was close, can't really say who should've won, Till did more stalking, Wonderboy connected with clean straight right hands, minus that 5th round knockdown. 

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