Francis Ngannou vs Cain Velasquez || Breakdown • Skill Study • Highlights ᴴᴰ (Narrated)
*VOICEOVER* Francis Ngannou vs Cain Velasquez
Despite wanting to breakdown Kron Gracie’s amazing takedown to back mount to choke, I figured most / many of you already saw Luke Thomas or the Gracie Breakdown already.
Instead I wanted to focus on the knee of Cain giving out, and whether or not it was a legitimate concussive force that caused an awkward collapse first, or did Cain’s leg(s) give out PRIOR to Ngannou finishing him (ref stoppage).
This is just my take, last time I did this or something like it was for DC vs. Stipe and I don’t think I made many friends, though one of us has to analyze honestly and agenda free. I will gladly carry said burden….SO….without further ado.
Background Music: [Non-Copyrighted Music] Chill Jazzy Lofi Hip Hop (Royalty Free) Jazz Hop Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ojb8t3T2Ng
[No Copyright Music] Chill Hip-Hop Beat FREE Rap Instrumental (No Copyright) YouTuber Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdCE9MVO4Ik
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*CODE=BRENDANDORMAN10* Save 10% @ BJJFanatics http://www.bjjfanatics.com
Diamond MMA Compression Jock & Cup System is a groin protector designed for high impact sport competitors and is the leader with professional athletes. Made from the best materials available, there is simply nothing better for protection of the MMA athlete.
Follow this link for 10% any / all purchases.
https://diamondmma.idevaffiliate.com/130.html use code: BrendanDorman
Israel Adesanya vs Anderson Silva – Telling a Story
It would be difficult to argue that UFC 234 was anything other than a failure on the whole. The Australia based event featured plenty of local talent getting some shine, like Jimmy Crute and Shane Young, but for a pay-per-view designed for global appeal, this was a two fight card. Unfortunately, on the morning of the show, we lost one of those two fights. The five round title fight main event between Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum was lost to a hernia. That left Israel Adesanya and Anderson Silva in the main event.
Israel Adesanya and Anderson Silva were tasked with taking it home at the Rod Laver Arena in a three rounder. A lukewarm night of combat sports was expected be end with a melancholy execution.. Thankfully, the MMA Gods – the most notoriously merciless of all the sports deities – took pity on the bereft Australian crowd and facilitated a classic.
It wasn’t a classic in the traditional “just bleed” sense of the word; Adesanya vs Silva was like a New Japan Pro Wrestling match, and I mean that in the best possible way. Two showmen, one young and hungry to reach the top, the other a wily veteran conditioned by a lengthy stretch at the top. Israel Adesanya and Anderson Silva are excellent fighters, but they understand the game they are playing and the story they were telling.
New School vs Old school
In between trying to legitimately take each other’s heads off, both men indulged in histrionics. Silva did his usual shtick, throwing up wing chun guards and standing with his back to the cage, beckoning the kiwi kickboxer to swing at him. Adesanya allowed to Silva to have his fun and met him with similar flourishes. After Silva dodged one of Izzy’s high kicks – a kick that would have likely decapitated any other fighter – Adesanya stepped back and acknowledged the near miss with a nod and a hand gesture.
It was made clear in the buildup what this fight was. Israel Adesanya has a similar style to Silva, and this was promoted as a “new school vs old school” clash. Israel, being the one to call for the fight in the first place, happily acknowledged this. He called Silva his inspiration and conceded the “Spider” was a big reason he was fighting in the first place . At the weigh-in he summed it up perfectly: “he brought me into this game and it’ll be an honour to take him out”.
Despite his brash attitude, “Stylebender” has immense respect for Silva. This was clear in the fight as “Stylebender” let the “Spider” do his thing. This doubled as strategy, as he avoided counter striking opportunities from the former middleweight champion. Anderson would put his hands down and eat shots, but Adesanya stayed composed, and throwing his own taunts when the time was right. At the end of the first round Anderson marched forward, with Adesanya taking a karate stance and extending a “just bring it” hand gesture.
A display of martial arts
After dancing with each other and trading missed spinning heel kicks the fifteen minute time limit was up. Neither man sustained much damage, but Adesanya clearly controlled the fight and was thus awarded the decision. If you live for blood and guts – see Hendo/Shogun 1 or Hunt/Bigfoot 1 – then this likely wasn’t an exciting display in your eyes. If you’re into fighting however, you likely couldn’t peel the smile from your face for the duration of the contest.
No, no one was dropped or even rocked. However, the story at play and significance of the smaller moments helped create something I can’t recall seeing in MMA. Silva’s familiar tricks and Adesanya’s refusal to fall for them stunk of the best parts of pro wrestling. There was actual ring psychology on display, intentional or otherwise. The crowd were eating it up, every “spot” and every vintage Silva taunt lit up the Rod Laver arena.
In Japanese professional wrestling culture they have the “young lions”. Young, up and coming wrestlers who work under the veterans to hone their craft and develop their own style. Eventually the young lions progress, get a new gimmick and ring gear, and start competing with the full time roster. This has lead to plenty of young lion vs grizzled old veteran showdowns. An example of this is Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Jay White from NJPW’s King of Pro Wrestling event from last year.
Lightning in a bottle
Israel Adesanya vs Anderson Silva was that, only it was real legitimate combat. While it wasn’t a crazy brawl and no one got hurt, both men were trying to seriously damage the other. Through this however, thanks to the showmanship and the self-awareness of the participants, it featured just enough dramatic flare tell a story.
Some have called this a glorified sparring contest.I can see their point, it just doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. Anderson Silva did what he always does, just on this occasion his dance partner wasn’t falling into the traps. It was a display of martial arts at the highest level and if you don’t like that then we have very different ideas of what MMA is or should be.
Torch passings in pro wrestling are extremely common, and this was a blatant torch passing. So much so that if I didn’t know better I would say Anderson put Israel “over”. This means he gave him the win to boost his career. He didn’t, but that is how it played out. It was legitimately fascinating to watch, and I think it will be a long time before the perfect cocktail of timing, meta showmanship and similar styles collide in such a way to produce these results, so enjoy this for what it was.
Images courtesy of dailytelegraph.com.au, f4wonline.com, coed.com and sportingnews.com.
Colby Covington || Breakdown • Skill Study • Highlights ᴴᴰ
Colby Covington || Breakdown • Skill Study • Highlights ᴴᴰ
Per fan request / contribution.
DISCLAIMER: Please don’t be so petty as to discredit my work based on the person covered, as I often say the athletes I cover may as well be silhouettes.
With that said / in mind, here I want to focus on cardio as a weapon, especially when grappling is your base martial art. Colby’s striking is improved, though certainly not his strength. Similar to the Diaz brothers, but with a wrestling heavy base, by “putting a pace on you” that favors
his cardio, and draws out the opponents.Often times, in the late rounds they lose their way.
In 2011 (ATT owner) Dan Lambert was looking to boost his gym’s wrestling training and Covington was one of a few people recruited to help do so (OSU collegiate wrestling All-American and two-time Pac-10 Conference champion). Shortly after, Covington began pursuing a professional (MMA) career and moved to FLA to join American Top Team.
Since then he has went from smiley faced, bowing martial artist to full blown X-Pac heat, to company disputes and has certainly caused some “Chaos” among fighters for being a little reckless and / or tactless with his “trash-talk game”. His ability is what I will focus on, so without further ado…
Music: Spektrum & Sara Skinner – Keep You [NCS Release] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnmOmNqBWtM
Omri – DisHonest [NCS Official Video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HemIEd-KYt4
TULE – Lost [NCS Release] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-nHdqC3pPs
Epic Cinematic Music / Woman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7QJjGyUbak
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Follow this link for 10% any / all purchases.
https://diamondmma.idevaffiliate.com/130.html use code: BrendanDorman
It’s been a strange few years for the former UFC middleweight champion of the world. Let’s bring it back to those hazy days when Anderson Silva was pined over by the UFC, as an adoring owner would their Cheshire Cat.
Silva had looked unbeatable during his run as the champion. And with that, it seemed obvious that no 185 lb fighter at that current time was going to put an end to his undefeated run. So as the Spider wants, he took it upon himself to have a little play around at light heavyweight. Derailing a couple fighters careers along the way with his unrivaled display of beautiful violence.
It was special time in the career of Anderson Silva, at his peak, he was untouchable. In a sport where all titles change hands with all too frequent regularity. With many foreseeing him playing out the remainder of his time as an unbeaten champion.
It wasn’t until an unlikely All American wrestler by the name of Chris Weidman came along. And changed things up, with one of the most unexpected finishes the sport has ever known.
Road to redemption
Role on some years and the Anderson Silva we now see is in no way comparable. Almost a decade later and now at the ripe age of 43, in the twilight of his once glistening career. Anderson is faced with yet another test to try exhume from the ashes the ghost of greatness past.
Yet another young gun seeks to claim the scalp of the once p4p great. As Israel Adesanya a successful kickboxer turned 15 – 0 mma fighter, looks to stake his own claim. But, how many times have we heard about the so called passing of the torch? The next big thing, the real deal! Or the hype train?
Does anyone else remember how Uriah Hall was supposed to be that guy? Whereas right now it’s actually the last pick from TUF 17 Kelvn Gastelum who is fighting for the middleweight gold. It’s funny how these things work out.
With Israel Adesanya it’s different?
But in Adesanya it would appear that, at least on the surface, there may be a little bit more to it than usual? Israel bears an uncanny resemblance to his opponent in terms of his fighting style and striking accuracy, almost like a mirror image of Silva himself.
And if we dug a little deeper, I am sure he would tell you he based at least some of his style on that of his opponent at UFC 234.
This fight really does have the feel of an ageing great being publicly thrown to the wolves. So that Israel can officially pick up where Hall left off and perhaps finally send Anderson Silva into permanent retirement.
This could very well be the fight which makes of breaks Adesanya as a potential figurehead of the sport. If he overcomes, then the world is his oyster. But if he should fail at this critical hurdle, to not firmly grasp what is right before him. Who knows where he may be placed in the annals of mixed martial arts history.
UFC 234 could be that watershed moment in the UFC middleweight division. What happens next is up to those key men involved!
Images courtesy of fightland.vice.com, Torcedores.com & themaclife.com
It’s been a strange few years for the former UFC middleweight champion of the world. Let’s bring it back to those hazy days when Anderson Silva was pined over by the UFC, as an adoring owner would their Cheshire Cat.
Silva had looked unbeatable during his run as the champion. And with that, it seemed obvious that no 185 lb fighter at that current time was going to put an end to his undefeated run. So as the Spider wants, he took it upon himself to have a little play around at light heavyweight. Derailing a couple fighters careers along the way with his unrivaled display of beautiful violence.
It was special time in the career of Anderson Silva, at his peak, he was untouchable. In a sport where all titles change hands with all too frequent regularity. With many foreseeing him playing out the remainder of his time as an unbeaten champion.
It wasn’t until an unlikely All American wrestler by the name of Chris Weidman came along. And changed things up, with one of the most unexpected finishes the sport has ever known.
Road to redemption
Role on some years and the Anderson Silva we now see is in no way comparable. Almost a decade later and now at the ripe age of 43, in the twilight of his once glistening career. Anderson is faced with yet another test to try exhume from the ashes the ghost of greatness past.
Yet another young gun seeks to claim the scalp of the once p4p great. As Israel Adesanya a successful kickboxer turned 15 – 0 mma fighter, looks to stake his own claim. But, how many times have we heard about the so called passing of the torch? The next big thing, the real deal! Or the hype train?
Does anyone else remember how Uriah Hall was supposed to be that guy? Whereas right now it’s actually the last pick from TUF 17 Kelvn Gastelum who is fighting for the middleweight gold. It’s funny how these things work out.
With Israel Adesanya it’s different?
But in Adesanya it would appear that, at least on the surface, there may be a little bit more to it than usual? Israel bears an uncanny resemblance to his opponent in terms of his fighting style and striking accuracy, almost like a mirror image of Silva himself.
And if we dug a little deeper, I am sure he would tell you he based at least some of his style on that of his opponent at UFC 234.
This fight really does have the feel of an ageing great being publicly thrown to the wolves. So that Israel can officially pick up where Hall left off and perhaps finally send Anderson Silva into permanent retirement.
This could very well be the fight which makes of breaks Adesanya as a potential figurehead of the sport. If he overcomes, then the world is his oyster. But if he should fail at this critical hurdle, to not firmly grasp what is right before him. Who knows where he may be placed in the annals of mixed martial arts history.
UFC 234 could be that watershed moment in the UFC middleweight division. What happens next is up to those key men involved!
Images courtesy of fightland.vice.com, Torcedores.com & themaclife.com
Welcome to part 2 of our Jose Aldo retrospective. You can find part 1 here.
Jose aldo – Reclaiming the throne
Jose sought a rematch with McGregor, but he was to go without as Conor went on to bigger things. Aldo rebounded with a convincing albeit unremarkable decision victory over Frankie Edgar at UFC 200 in July of 2016 for the interim featherweight championship, a man he already beat in 2013. As McGregor officially entered the lightweight division by capturing the championship in November of 2016, it became painfully clear he was never draining down to 145 lbs again. Aldo and the division would need to move on.
McGregor was officially stripped of the UFC featherweight championship on November 26th 2016, promoting interim champ Aldo to undisputed champion. He was king once more, but illegitimate and without his desired vindication. What would it take to reclaim one’s reputation?
Enter Max “Blessed” Holloway. At 25 years of age, the Hawaiian kickboxer had shaken off some early losses in the UFC to string together 10 victories inside the octagon when he met Jose Aldo at UFC 212 in June of 2017. Like Aldo at his peak, Holloway was a phenom, the promised future of the featherweight division.
Usurper
Aldo’s homeland of Brazil played host to this generational clash. This fight was important, not just for Aldo’s legacy and Holloway’s future, but for the idealised evolution of a sport. Things started well for Aldo. He hurt Max in the first round and looked as ferocious as ever. As the fight progressed however, Holloway found his groove. Eventually his grinding pace took over.
“Blessed” chipped away at the champion with his sheer volume of punches. Aldo slowed down, each blow pulling him further away from what was once his. In the third round Holloway landed four consecutive punches, dropping Junior. Max pounced on Jose, finishing him at 4:13 in the third round. It was over, Holloway was the real deal, and Aldo was old news.
Thanks to an injury to Frankie Edgar, Aldo was granted a rematch in December of the same year. It proved fruitless; the beating was worse. Holloway put a stamp on his rivalry with Aldo, demonstrating the painful truth we all know: the only undefeated person in this game is father time, and he waits for no man. Aldo’s reign is over, Max Holloway is the new king, a prototypical volume striker like nothing we have ever seen in MMA.
Leaving a Mark
At only 32 years old and after two brutal stoppages over top contenders, Aldo’s days as a top flight fighter are clearly not over. However, if his claims are true and he wouldn’t accept a title fight if it were offered – which with Holloway as champ is unlikely anyway – then his days as king are truly done.
Jose Aldo was one of the first true stars in the lighter weight divisions. Thanks to his crowd pleasing acumen for violence, he was a popular force despite being “one of the little guys” especially in Brazil. With pressure to perform and justify his weight class’ existence, he put on clinic after clinic, becoming one of the chief reasons the lighter divisions are so healthy today.
This is especially true in his native Brazil. To put it into perspective, at the weigh-ins for last week’s event, the crowd chanted “Uh Vai Morrer” at Aldo’s opponent, Renato Moicano, who is also Brazilian. The chant, meaning “you’re going to die”, is almost exclusively reserved for foreigners taking on Brazilian fighters. The crowd didn’t care, the “King of Rio” was in the building.
Say what you will about Conor McGregor, he has taken the sport to another level. Thanks to Aldo, McGregor, being a smaller fighter, had a convincing and legitimate foil with which to launch himself into the mainstream, in turn increasing public appeal of the UFC and mixed martial arts as a whole.
Godspeed Jose
But regardless of progressing the sport and leaving a mark, Jose Aldo was simply a bad dude. The boogeyman at 145 lbs for so long, he was untouchable. For the better part of a decade he produced blistering finishes and leg kicking clinics. If you need reminding of what an utter savage Jose Aldo is, go back and watch his second fight with Chad Mendes in 2014.
Things change, sports progress, and men grow old. Jose Aldo’s time is over, or nearly over; two more in his beloved Brazil and he’s done. He had a bad thirteen seconds in 2015, but he’s earned his spot in history, and now he wants to have one last year. I hope it’s a good one.
Images courtesy of mmajunkie.com, dailymail.co.uk, sherdog.com, express.co.uk and givemesport.com.
