List some fights where you feel a rematch could go differently - even if it's contrary to popular opinion - and explain why. I'm curious to hear people's opinions on this.
Your answer could include fights where a fighter could've won, but lost due to:
A) poor/inadequate preparation
B) fluke/luck/chance
C) horrible strategy, or in-fight decision-making
List for each of the above parameters.
My answer would be
A) Cain/Werdum. Cain has the skillset to work Werdum in the clinch and keep it off the ground. His cardio is his biggest asset, yet due to poor preparation, lack of cardio led to his demise. With proper preparation, he can win that fight.
B) 1. Rockhold/Bisping second fight. Rockhold showed the true separation in their skill levels in the first fight. Bisping showed his lack of ability to hang with top fighters in subsequent losses to Gastelum and GSP, along with barely beating Hendo. Yet Bisping won.
2. Mendes/Edgar. This wasn't a massive fluke, but I do feel that if this was run 10 times, Mendes wins at least 5 of them. Edgar has good boxing and wrestling, but Mendes has more powerful boxing and better wrestling. Mendes' chin may be suspect, but he went 5 hard rounds with Aldo. Edgar is known for lacking punching power. Yet Edgar lightly grazes the tip of Mendes' nose, and KOs him. Absurdity.
C) Johnson/Cormier 2. Again, not a massive fluke, but AJ has the attributes to make it very interesting. His TDD is very elite; he made Phil Davis look like a little kid trying to hug his thighs. His power is unquestionably dangerous. He also dropped Cormier twice in their first fight. Entering the rematch, he could have used his prior experience fighting Cormier to stop some TDs, and land some punches. All it takes is one clean connection. Instead, AJ gave DC the wrestling match he wanted, leading to a submission loss.
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Your answer could include fights where a fighter could've won, but lost due to:
A) poor/inadequate preparation
B) fluke/luck/chance
C) horrible strategy, or in-fight decision-making
List for each of the above parameters.
My answer would be
A) Cain/Werdum. Cain has the skillset to work Werdum in the clinch and keep it off the ground. His cardio is his biggest asset, yet due to poor preparation, lack of cardio led to his demise. With proper preparation, he can win that fight.
B) 1. Rockhold/Bisping second fight. Rockhold showed the true separation in their skill levels in the first fight. Bisping showed his lack of ability to hang with top fighters in subsequent losses to Gastelum and GSP, along with barely beating Hendo. Yet Bisping won.
2. Mendes/Edgar. This wasn't a massive fluke, but I do feel that if this was run 10 times, Mendes wins at least 5 of them. Edgar has good boxing and wrestling, but Mendes has more powerful boxing and better wrestling. Mendes' chin may be suspect, but he went 5 hard rounds with Aldo. Edgar is known for lacking punching power. Yet Edgar lightly grazes the tip of Mendes' nose, and KOs him. Absurdity.
C) Johnson/Cormier 2. Again, not a massive fluke, but AJ has the attributes to make it very interesting. His TDD is very elite; he made Phil Davis look like a little kid trying to hug his thighs. His power is unquestionably dangerous. He also dropped Cormier twice in their first fight. Entering the rematch, he could have used his prior experience fighting Cormier to stop some TDs, and land some punches. All it takes is one clean connection. Instead, AJ gave DC the wrestling match he wanted, leading to a submission loss.
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