Ferguson is an odd character. He can be seemingly losing the fight and pull off a submission win. Although, I think in this case Khabib might be too strong for Tony. The main positives about Tony going into the fight is his cardio and submission game. I say Khabib decision.
I think it's a really hard fight to pick. I want Tferg to win, he is my favourite fighter to watch. He is amazing wherever the fight goes and brings it every single time. I can also see Khabib getting regular takedowns and holding Tony down to win rounds in the eyes of the judges. One thing Khabib won't be able to do against Tony is take rds off to save his gastank like he did against Conor and Iaquinta so I could also see Tony drowning Khabib in rds 4/5 in a war of attrition type scenario. I can't wait for this fight.
The way Tony was taken down and mounted by Kevin Lee is pretty concerning if you are a Ferguson fan. Obviously Lee's grappling is a lot different than Khabib's: Lee mostly uses blast double legs and blitz passing, while Khabib relies on more judo/Greco-Roman style trip/takedowns and a patient guard passing style that is much more methodical. So the Lee fight really gives me pause when evaluating Tony's chances. But on the other hand, Tony finished Tibau and Trujillo in a round, while both guys survived the distance with Khabib. Tony also finished Barboza, while Khabib couldn't do the same, despite Barboza being blatantly past his best at that point. I think Tony hits a lot harder than people think. He looks like an Antonio Margarito (sans special handwraps) style volume puncher, but he has more pop in his shots than it appears. He can wobble and drop guys from punches from every angle. He also has the edge in stamina and durability. Tony's offensive grappling might be the key. He has been meticulously working chokes off the front-headlock for years in preparation for this fight. If Khabib gives up his neck carelessly like he did against Poirier, Tony will finish it, guaranteed.
Tony is going to smash him up. He will be all over the place and Khabib won't be able to take him down.
I am a Khabib fan, but I pick Tony to win. He's got an amazing cardio, relentless pressure, and could finish you in so ways. He's just the better athlete and the more versatile fighter. Either way hoping for a great fight.
Thank you sir. I would like to do a round by round, but my job requires me to be available a lot of the time on weekends, which causes me to miss some big fight unfortunately.
Looking forward to this fight. Wanna see Ferguson win and he has a decent chance to pull it off but Nurmagomedovs wrestling and pressure may get to Ferguson eventually. Hard to call
Probably 1 of the most anticipated fights of the year with both owning the longest winning streaks in the UFC as well as being the 2 dominant lightweights of last couple of years. TFerg is Khabibs toughest opponent so far and I think he will end up nulifilying and frustrating Khabib enough to get the win. Hopefully tho after all the cancelations and delays etc that it delivers on its potential to be FOTY.
Watched the presser for this last night. Some good back and forth between them. Getting a little buzz on for this scrap. Fifth time lucky?
A lot depends on his ability to defend the takedown intelligently. Khabib has showed issues with his gas tank in the past, and Tony is known for having crazy cardio, so if he can keep the fight standing he could possibly wear Khabib down for a late stoppage or decision win.
I have a feeling Tony may not fight the take down too much, more have a plan to get a choke in on the way down. Risky if it fails.
