The Octagon Report with Nicnas - March 23, 2018

brospn (60)in #sports • 6 years ago (edited)

With a lack of knock-out action scheduled for the next few weeks, we will have to stew in our own blood and gore and our own minds awaiting the next blood-lust battle. One issue with MMA promotions right now is Bellator’s case of the flue and losing its customers fast. It is much need of a boost, whether it be from some star power or just better promotions. One big issue facing this promotion is the fact that most of the US and EU are watching on tape delay. There has been some good and disappointing news in the industry as well, which I will cover.

Upcoming

Data	Promotion	Event	Location
April 6	Bellator	196: Henderson vs. Huerta	Budapest , Hungary (Budapest Sports Arena)
April 7	UFC	223: Ferguson vs. Khabib	Brooklyn, NY (Barclays Center)

Upcoming Fights

On April 6 the Bellator returns with at least one fight that should be entertaining to watch. In the lightweight weight-class we will have a main card fight of Roger Huerta versus Benson Henderson. This will air on April 6 in Budapest, and here in the US under tape delay. I feel that Henderson has the advantage in this fight based on pure skill, though this is a even match is most aspects. They both are 5'9" in height and similar records, 1 fight win/loss differential.

There are 5 other fights scheduled for this event, though just like Bellator in general, this even less than spectacular in star power.

In a change of recent events, the UFC decided to make us wait a longer between fights and build up our excitement for UFC 223 with a three-week gap in between events, in contrast to fights almost weekly. The UFC promotion will have time to advertise this event correctly with less distractions and more anticipation. There are two fights for championship belts in this event and some other very note worth and PPV worth fights.

The first main event for a belt is at the lightweight weight-class. This fight will include the amazing Tony "El Cucuy" Ferguson, 23-3, up against the undefeated Khabib "The Eagle" Nurmagomedov, 25-0. Ferguson has a slight advantage in the KO and Submission categories as well as a decent edge in submissions. Though, his take down and his take down defense is not as good as the number 2 ranked Nurmagomedov.

In the earlier of the two title fights we have Rose "Thug" Namajunas vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Try pronouncing that name three times fast, or even once for that matter. Jedrzejczyk is more experienced at 14-1 with a stronger KO ability and strong takedown defense. She is likely to try to keep this fight standing as Namajunas is amazing at submissions from the grapple position.

A few other fights to watch on this UFC card is Anthony "Showtime" Pettis vs. Michael "Maverick" Chiesa, Ray Born (3rd at 125 lbs) and an assortment of other exciting fights.

MMA News and Highlights

There has been a lot of talk about who will fight Mighty Mouse Johnson when he comes back from his injury. As my favorite fighter to watch by far and easily the best MMA fighter around today, Johnson needs a quality fighter to showcase his skills upon, and stop his streak record? He has a 14-fight streak and 11 title defenses. He also completed an amazing in the air arm-bar in his last victory.

One such case is T.J. Dillashaw trying to get a fight with him. He would have to drop down to a lower class, but it would be entirely possible. One of Dillashaw’s trainers was on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani podcast talking about how they feel Dillashaw is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and he wants to be the one to end his streak. Johnson was on the same some and discussed his wanting of this fight to take place as well.

The news here though is that Dana White, UFC President, just announced to the LA Times that this fight won’t be happening. His excuse is that of Johnsons shoulder industry. But my thought it that it is more along the lines of not wanting to give anyone a chance to obtain a second belt again, after the issues that came with two belts and Connor.

_{Author: @nicnas}
_{Editor: @bacchist}