UFC on ABC Holloway-Kattar Aftermath

 I had figured a punching centric fighter like Kattar would struggle with Holloway, but honestly expected him to be a bit more competitive early on in rounds 1-3. His corner shortened his career by sending him out for a 5th round after absorbing 70 something significant strikes in a fight he had not yet managed to wobble or shut down the former champ Holloway. A 5th round against Holloway was probably worth 1-3 fights against other guys in terms of mileage on your brain and body. I'm also surprised that Dean allowed him to absorb the punishment of the 4th round and the deluge of elbows, punches, et cetera. 

Unfortunately for other possible title contenders, Holloway still trashes probably anyone not named Volkanovski in this division but also no one is really stumping for a 3rd go round between the 2. The blueprint at FW to beat Holloway is to move, kick, throw enough volume to not seem way less busy, and clinch and force him against the cage for periods of the fight (as Volkanovski did). That is the only way thus far that anyone has managed to best him. Even Aldo slowed noticeably after 3 rounds of boxing with Holloway and to stay both at range, and in close with Holloway is to fight the kind of fight he desires most. 

Condit vs Brown was a better fight than I expected. Brown, however, was breathing mouth open by the start of the 2nd, and Condit was able to stay busier throughout, and reverse from bottom enough to eke out a decision. The Unanimous decision for Brown though was comical, as Brown easily took the first round. Condit might have wanted to keep the "I've been wrestling since I was 9" part out of his post fight after getting dragged to the mat repeatedly, and accepting bottom for much longer than was advisable. I've seen fights and split decisions go awry with that acceptance of bottom position for portions of even 1 round, let alone 2. The real question is who do you put him against other than aging known quantities in other fighters for him the title shot is probably no longer on the table. He's faced virtually all of the names left from the different eras of which he was a part, and it's a testament to his longevity that he still looks as sharp as he does years removed from a title shot with GSP who left, came back, and left again in the interim.