Nightmare Match-ups for UFC Champions (May 2017)
It's UFC211 tomorrow and I for one cannot wait. It's the best UFC card of the year (on paper at least). With two title on the line and a stack of exciting match-ups.
Most vulnerable
Speaking of titles and match-ups, I believe the current UFC champions are the most vulnerable crop there have ever been. I've been thinking of doing a blog on bad match-ups for each Champion for a few weeks. Yesterday I came across a video by TheWeasle where he gives a rundown of what he thinks are the nightmare match-ups for the UFC Champs. This was just spur I needed to get my blog done.
See what TheWeasle thinks in the video and my views in the post below. I agree with many of his picks however I've also given my alternate pick of fighters that would give each Champion bad dreams!
TheWeasle's Nightmare Picks video
The Nightmare Picks:
Joanna Jędrzejczyk (Women's Strawweight Champion)
TheWeasle's pick: Jessica Andrade
I agree Andrade is a problem. However Joanna's fight against Cláudia Gadelha would have been good preparation for Andrade. Not to mention the two have trained together in the past and this should prepare Joanna for the whirlwind she is likely to face.
My pick: Rose Namajunas
My alternate is Rose Namajunas. Rose narrowly missed out fighting Jędrzejczyk for the title after a close split decision loss to Karolina Kowalkiewicz. At 24, it is only a matter of time (in my view) before this talented and diverse fighter Namajunas is holding the strap. I believe her unorthodox style will cause Jędrzejczyk all the problems she can handle. No wonder the two already have a simmering beef!
Amanda Nunes (Women's Bantamweight Champion)
TheWeasle's pick: Valentina Shevchenko
Shevchenko lost a close decision to Nunes last year however Valentina has improved since with wins over Holly Holm and Julianna Pena. Common consensus is that Shevchenko was getting stronger in the third round of her fight with Nunes and her gas tank will cause Amanda problems over five Championship rounds.
My pick: Julianna Peña
My pick is Pena. Despite her loss to Shevchenko, Pena's grappling is off the chain. Nunes has shown a weakness against grapplers. This was highlighted in her loss to Cat Zingano. Zingano was comprehensively out-grappled by Pena when they met. I'd pick Pena to beat Nunes if they met in the future.
Germaine de Randamie (Women's Featherweight Champion)
TheWeasle's pick: Cris 'Cyborg' Justino
The human wrecking ball that is Cris Cyborg would start as heavy favourite against de Randamie. She is in many respects Champion in recess having reigned over the Featherweight division in Invicta and Strikeforce. It was a surprise to many when she wasn't chosen to fight for the inaugural UFC Women's Featherweight title.
My pick: Megan Anderson
The current Interim Invicta Featherweight Champion Megan Anderson would be more than a match for de Randamie. Anderson is a legit 145lber. Whereas de Randamie should really campaign at 135. I have a feeling size will matter if the two were ever to square off and Anderson would be too big and too strong for the Dutch striker.
Demetrious Johnson (Flyweight Champion)
TheWeasle's pick: Tim Elliott
Demetrious 'Mighty Mouse' Johnson is the one Champion in the UFC that doesn't really have a nightmare opponent. I understand why TheWeasle picked Tim Elliot, he did afterall have one good round against the Champ. In reality however I'd expect DJ to dominate Elliot.
My pick: Joseph Benavidez
For me Benavidez is clearly the second best fighter in the Flyweight division. The problem is Mighty Mouse has already beaten him twice! I still think the second fight, where Benavidez got knocked out in the first, isn't truly reflective of how close Benavidez is to the Champion. I'd still pick Johnson if the pair were to meet for a third time.
Cody Garbrandt (Bantamweight Champion)
TheWeasle's pick: TJ Dillashaw
Dillashaw is a very tough match-up for new champion Garbrandt. Cody would need to put on a similar virtuoso performance a la the one he put on against Dominick Cruz to get past the former Champ.
My pick: John Lineker
I can easily see a match-up between Lineker and Garbrandt turning into a slugfest. Cody would need to fight strategically and mix in his wrestling to get past Lineker.
José Aldo(Featherweight Champion)
TheWeasle's pick: Yair Rodriguez
Yair Rodriguez is definitely one of the rising stars of the UFC. He could certainly step into a Championship fight with Aldo and take the world by storm. His fight this weekend against Frankie Edgar will tell us how close he is to being ready for a title shot.
My pick: Max Holloway
Holloway has been on a tear since losing to Conor McGregor in 2013, winning 10 straight fights. It would be no surprise if Holloway beats Aldo to become the new champ when the two collide at UFC 212.
Conor McGregor (Lightweight Champion)
TheWeasle's pick: Tony Ferguson
Tony Ferguson has a box of tricks that can bamboozle anyone at Lightweight. I can see why he is strongly fancied in a match-up against Conor McGregor.
My pick: Khabib Nurmagomedov
Conor vs Khabib would be a classic striker vs grappler match-up. If the fight stays on it's feet, McGregor will chew up Nurmagomedov. However if Khabib can enforce his ground game on McGregor, the fight is a wrap.
Tyron Woodley (Welterweight Champion)
TheWeasle's pick: Jorge Masvidal
I can see why Masvidal is the flavour of the month however Woodley would fancy his chances in all departments against Jorge. For Jorge to win he'll need to turn the fight into a boxing match and be mindful of Woodley's power.
My pick: Demian Maia
I think Maia has a game to take out anyone in the Welterweight decision. If Maia doesn't submit Woodley early in the clinch, he'll certainly sap enough of Tyron's energy to neutralise Woodley's effectiveness in the later rounds. This would be a tough match-up for the champ.
Michael Bisping (Middleweight Champion)
TheWeasle's pick: Yoel Romero
There is a long list of Middleweights that will fancy their chances of dethroning 'The Count.' Top of that list is Yoel Romero. A supreme wrestler with power standing, Romero is a complete nightmare for Bisping.
My pick: Luke Rockhold
There is no doubt that Rockhold took Bisping lightly in their hastily arranged re-match. Having manhandled Bisping in their first match (finishing him off with a one-armed guillotine), Rockhold got sloppy and got caught with a sweet counter. Bisping turned from perennial contender into champion. No doubt Rockhold is chumping at the bit to get his hands onto Bisping again and if he does it could be ugly for the Brit.
Daniel Cormier (Light Heavyweight Champion)
TheWeasle's pick: Jon Jones
Having never been defeated as Champion, many look at Jon Jones as the Light Heavyweight Champion in recess. Particular after the way he dominated Daniel Cormier in their first fight. Cormier's best hope is that Jon Jones is no longer Jon Jones. Else a match-up between a Jon Jones approaching his prime and an ageing Cormier could turn into a mismatch.
My pick: Alexander Gustafsson
Gustafsson gave DC the business in their first fight and lost a close decision. Any rematch could easily see the Swede emerging with the belt. I'd back Gustafsson as a dark horse to upset DC if they were to meet again.
Stipe Miocic (Heavyweight Champion)
TheWeasle's pick: Junior Dos Santos
With a win over Miocic already under his belt JDS will be confident he can emerge as Champion when the pair clash tomorrow night. This fight is a toss-up in my view.
My pick: Francis Ngannou
Ngannou looks like a terror since joining the UFX. Having only been an MMA fighter for a few short years, it scary to think how good the Frenchman can become. Even now he'd give Miocic a run for his money.
I like the picks. Any thoughts on GSP vs the middleweight contenders?
The only top middleweight GSP has a chance against is Bisping. Even then it is a big ask after so many years out.
I can see a GSP vs Anderson Silva 'superfight' finally being made. That might be a good spectacle.
Agreed - probably why they tried to schedule that fight.
That would be a spectacle to up the ante on a mid-level card.
Who do you have tomorrow?
Cool.
Thanks for sharing.
Follow you, and resteem!
I like the way you mentioned the possibility of winning for your picks... however, in my opinion, all the current champions are dominant in their respective weight classes except for Woodley, Bisping and Cormier. Not that they lack talents it is just that the threat of the contenders are just too overwhelming.