UFC 268: Usman vs. Covington II (11/06/2021) - New York, NY (Madison Square Garden)

[kenyabaxterZXW]

 

[The Natural]

 

[Teflon Turtle]

There is a lot of potential excitement to be had on this card.

Not discussed in the thread yet: the UFC debut of 2-division Glory Kickboxing champion Alex Pereira. I am both intrigued and terrified by the prospect of that guy teeing off on people with 4 oz. gloves.

I am in the camp of people who thinks any discussion of fast tracking him to a match with Adesanya is premature, despite their history. But, if he can stay off the ground he's a big, big KO threat to just about everyone I can think of. Should he win tomorrow, it'll be interesting to see what the UFC does with him.

[Elsalvajeloco]

37 minutes ago, Teflon Turtle said:

There is a lot of potential excitement to be had on this card.

Not discussed in the thread yet: the UFC debut of 2-division Glory Kickboxing champion Alex Pereira. I am both intrigued and terrified by the prospect of that guy teeing off on people with 4 oz. gloves.

I am in the camp of people who thinks any discussion of fast tracking him to a match with Adesanya is premature, despite their history. But, if he can stay off the ground he's a big, big KO threat to just about everyone I can think of. Should he win tomorrow, it'll be interesting to see what the UFC does with him.

Hopefully, he doesn't catch the Joe Duffy syndrome where he starts well with no hopers but struggles as the competition grows. I think the UFC would have went in the direction of matching him against Conor in a rematch had he actually lived up to his potential.

And as far Glory guys, hopefully he is more Giga Chikadze than Guto Inocente or Gokhan Saki.

[The Natural]

@AxB: UFC 268 main card starts an hour earlier than the usual 3am.

[AxB]

Yeah, everything's been starting early this week. Pretty annoying. We did the Timewarp last weekend, but Americans don't until tonight.

[TheVileOne]

Looking forward to Usman embarrassing Covington again.

[The Natural]

1 hour ago, TheVileOne said:

Looking forward to Usman embarrassing Covington again.

Usman's finished three of his four title defences by KO/TKO. I fancy Usman to KO/TKO Colby in three rounds. Went from four to three.

[The Natural]

Edit.

Edited November 6, 2021 by The Natural

[Elsalvajeloco]

 

[John E. Dynamite]

Trying so hard to be hyped for this card but the pea-brained political subtext of what should be two major title matches drain so much joy out of me.

[Elsalvajeloco]

[Elsalvajeloco]

[Elsalvajeloco]

[jaedmc]

Here for the Early Prelim Hoss Fight.

[twiztor]

Just now, jaedmc said:

Here for the Early Prelim Hoss Fight.

hopefully it delivers. not the most exciting of starts so far tonight

[jaedmc]

I'm hoping Chandler/Gaethje makes up for any lulls in the card. 

[jaedmc]

Barnett's leg look like it had some GOGO GADGET extension at the end of that spinning heel kick. Incredible.

[twiztor]

1 hour ago, twiztor said:

hopefully it delivers. not the most exciting of starts so far tonight

...and that KO definitely delivered.

edit: Chris Curtis landed that perfect hook kick, and then double delivered with the post-fight interview. Where has this guy been the last 10 years? he easily could've been a star. I mean, not the champ or anything, but he would've been the Derrick Lewis before "My Balls Was Hot" became a thing. I look forward to seeing him again, but he's already mid-30s, so i don't expect a long run.

 

 

Edited November 7, 2021 by twiztor
added thoughts

[twiztor]

Ian "the Future" Garry with the debut KO. lots of potential, but also plenty of holes in his game to close up. 

Imavov looked good in his fight. He had my pick (i have some weird aversion to rooting for anyone nicknamed "Golden Boy"). Cemented himself as a dangerous opponent to whoever's next.

 

 

Edited November 7, 2021 by twiztor
added thoughts

[Casey]

Those elbows in the crucifix were fucking gross.

[jaedmc]

WOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah that Curtis/Hawes fight.

[twiztor]

what a fucking turnaround!

edit: Phil Hawes looked like he was about to pull off a flawless victory. faster, more dominant, and controlling the pacing. But all it took was one perfectly placed punch from Curtis and it was all over. Once Hawes ate that shot, he was DONE.

 

 

Edited November 7, 2021 by twiztor
added thoughts

[Ultimo Necro]

Hawes was utterly dominant, until he wasn’t.  Curtis took some heavy shots then delivered something even heavier.  

[twiztor]

Bobby Green has always struck me as an underachiever, while Iaquinta is more unpredictable (to me) as to how he will perform. This fight basically went the exact opposite as I was expecting. Green completely outclassed Al and shut him down in every aspect. Great win. Green coming in to this fight 8-7-1 in his UFC run seems bizarre to me.