Personally very excited for this one, and we are only a short two weeks away, i'm going to leave here who I think is going to win for the fights I care about the most, feel free to discuss or add on a fight your excited to see this card. Oliveira vs Gaethje: I'm really rocking with Charles title reign currently, I have him by R3 Sub. Justin KO is also very plausible, wouldn't surprise me if something wild happens, Gaejthe by sub or smth Namajunas vs Esparza: Rose gives me the wrong vibes to be honest, going with a Esparza decision. Ferguson vs Chandler: Poor Tony... I dont know why this fight was made, this is going to be a slaughter, Chandler KO, and it wouldn't surprise me if it was the first round... I hope Tony can make it somewhat competitive Cerrone vs Lauzon: Both these guys should be in a retirement home, Cerrone looked absolutely horrendous in his last fight, looked clueless. I am going with Lauzon probably decision? Hopefully both retire after this anddddd thats about all I care about the most on 274, real barnburner.
Charles Oliveira via SUB I don't see it going any differently than his last few fights, where he hits the deck early and comes back in the next round and promptly finishes his opponent. Gaethje's toughness might get him a round further than Poirier or Chandler, but ultimately his toolbox is too limited to make anything of it. Carla Esparza via DEC Rose is too mentally unstable to reign over the division for very long thanks to Pat Barry's grooming. Michael Chandler via DEC This really is looking to be the downiest card of all-time, with Tony also being a borderline schizophrenic. I'm sure it will be a sad and gratuitous affair, but if Gaethje could barely get him out of there in 5, I doubt Chandler will in 3. Joe Lauzon via TKO Didn't Joe promise Dana that he was going to retire years ago? Cowboy will be so fixated on making a huge statement to cap off his career that the pressure will freeze him solid like it always does. Ovince Saint Preux via KO Mauricio vs. Machida was my first ever UFC event back in 2009. It's sad to see how much the light heavyweight division has declined since then, as well as Shogun still trying to hang on in 2022 at the age of 40.
Interesting, imo Tony was still very fightable when he fought Gaethje, it was after that fight we saw the real decline. Oliveira loss? Current champ, no shame. Controlled by Dariush for 15 minutes straight with no offense back? Now we have a problem. I am very worried for Tony, I am at least hoping he goes out there and gives some offense back and at least make it a war hurting Chandler a couple times rather then getting absolutely blasted in one.
It wouldn't surprise me a bit if Tony threw a fluke forward elbow and wobbled Chandler. I would only worry for Tony if he made a good account of himself and the narrative went from "Tony is flushed" to "Tony is still world class, let's give him Poirier."
I can absolutely see this happening, the thing I hate about this fight is i'll be gutted for anyone who loses, a loss for Tony really is his final time at the top, and a loss for Chandler would also drop him tremendously from title contention. a draw it is then
This is how I see it. Gaethje doesn't have the smarts to stop his subs, and it feels like Charlie's Time now.
