UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

Makhachev vs. Oliveira II
Charles Oliveira, TKO, R2
I don't even fully think Charles can pull it off. I just REALLY want him to beat the **** out of Islam. He clearly has leveled up due to what he did to Dariush though, so this isn't going to be a dog-walking like it kinda was last time. God I hope this doesn't age poorly.

Costa vs. Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev, SUB, R1
I don't think Costa's secret juice is going to save him, guys. Chimaev's chain-wrestling is ******* relentless.

Imavov vs. Aliskerov
Nassourdine Imavov, DEC
Imavov has more experience within the big show. This should be a good fight though.

Ankalaev vs. Walker
Johnny Walker, TKO, R2
This will be a ******* war regardless of who wins. I think Walker's being heavily slept on here despite losing 2 of his last 5. We've seen what he's done to grapple attempts in his fights against Craig and Smith- he dropped both of them WHILE HE WAS ON ONE ******* FOOT, finishing Craig and then dogwalking Smith afterwards. A seven inch reach advantage is also something you can't overlook, just because Ankalaev has a better wrestling pedigree.

Elliott vs. Mokaev
Muhammad Mokaev, SUB
It's hard to not ****ride an undefeated Russian wrestler (I know he's fighting out of Manchester shut up) when he's fighting a journeyman. Eliott's been getting his crap together, but I think Mokaev's gonna be too much. A four inch reach advantage is also enough of a differential to give some problems.

Dumas vs. Azaitar
Sedriques Dumas, DEC
Azaitar's lack of activity and age worries me.

Yu Frey vs. Dudakova
Victoria Dudakova, SUB
I don't have a goddamn clue what you're trying to make me say other than Yu Frey is getting thrown to the goddamn wolves for what will in all likelihood be her last fight.

Silva vs. Magomedov
Sharabutdin Magomedov, TKO, R1
Oh yeah, it's this bastard. Bro looks like a monster and fights like one.

Jubli vs. Breeden
Anshul Jubli, TKO, R1
I already said some almost identical **** for a fight earlier so i ain't saying it again.

Makhachev vs. Oliveira II
Charles Oliveira
I want Charles Oliveira to win. I'm picking him.

Ankalaev vs. Walker
Johnny Walker
Johnny will have to knock this guy out. He fighting in his territory and I don't trust the judges anymore. Johnny should knock this guy out.

Jubli vs. Breeden
Anshul Jubli
Anshul Jubli for the W. Let's Gooooo....

If any of you stumbled upon the clip from Brendan Schaub’s podcast, you would have learned Alexandre Pantoja KO’d Islam, easy win for the one from do bronx.

* Edited at 09.12.2023, 9:40 AM ET *

Ankalaev vs. Walker
Johnny Walker, TKO, R2
Ankalaev doesn’t deal with leg kicks, Johnny Walker has good scrambles so he should be able to get up from the takedowns I see a front kick KO

Javid Basharat vs Victor Henry is being rescheduled for this card🔥

* Edited at 09.13.2023, 4:59 AM ET *

@yusufff 

Hell yes!!!

Said Nurmagomedov vs. Muin Gafurov added to the card

They're really trying to have Gafurov go 0-2. First Lapilus and then Said? Jeez, who did this guy piss off?

why lol

Said gets a layup. Love watching him fight we could get a highlight finish here.

Lol - lose to Castaneda, get booked to fight a higher ranked opponent lol

* Edited at 09.14.2023, 9:36 AM ET *

W FOR KING OF LIONS 

How is Mokaev's leg?

I'm still rooting for Charles in this one.  He's going to have to change his strategy and catch Islam with a TKO with the perfect shot. I don't think he submits Islam but then again, if anyone could do it, it's Charles but I think he knocks out Islam somehow.  

Makhachev vs. Oliveira II
Charles Oliveira, TKO, R2
Oliveira To Shock The Wolrd Again.

Costa vs. Chimaev
Paulo Costa, DEC
I hate costa but I think he take this ngl

Imavov vs. Aliskerov
Ikram Aliskerov
Interesting Fight Ngl

Ankalaev vs. Walker
Magomed Ankalaev, TKO, R2
Johnny No Chin Walker

@Parlay Boss 

lol that was pretty good

Silva vs. Magomedov
Sharabutdin Magomedov, TKO, R2
So glad magomedov debut is against a good striker get to see him in action

Nurmagomedov vs. Gafurov
Said Nurmagomedov, DEC
Great fight gafurov had a bad debut but he’s a demon gonna be fireworks start to finish on both sides nurmagomedov might get a td but gafurov will do much better than expected

Basharat vs. Henry
Javid Basharat, DEC
Javid needs a top 15 fight after this one

Wood vs. Naimov
Nathaniel Wood, DEC
Wood gonna beat on naimov’s leg

Makhachev VS Oliveira 2
Charles Do Bronx Oliveira, TKO, RD2

Something weird is happening in the UFC right now and we all know it, this sport is impossible to predict and breakdown nowadays and I’ve nearly retired from betting on it during multiple occasions this year. (290, 292, 293) Fighters are too good now, we’ll never know who’s actually better (depending on situation), it all depends on the night. I believe October 21st will be Oliveira’s night, Islam got in his head a little before the last fight, insulting his fighting skills and talking trash to him, something Charles has really never had to deal with. Many of us didn’t recognize the Oliveira that showed up to the media day, press conference, and ultimately the fight at 280. He played into Islam’s game, when have we ever seen Charles insult somebody or say anything like” I will kill this guy”? This translated to the fight, causing him to come in over aggressive, reaching on punches. and committing to unnecessary movements like jumping switch kicks while he’s already getting badly outstruck, which ultimately lost him the first fight. A switched-on Oliveira can absolutely give Islam problems on the feet, defensively sound or not. Also, I would like to see if Charles could actually defend some takedowns rather than accepting bottom guard which will always lose him the round, I understand he is comfortable there, but Islam is too top pressure heavy and cautious/aware of Charles submission threats. We did see in the first fight when Charles wanted to get up, he did. Charles will still have to be the aggressor on the feet, he cannot let Islam dictate the standup much less get him pushed up against the cage. We also saw Charles put on his best performance to date in his last fight, which really just comes down to him moving his head and not getting dropped, If he can slip Islam’s punches or not get landed on absolutely flush like pre 289 Charles always would, I see an opening for Charles to hurt Islam on the feet, and ultimately secure a TKO via ground and pound or jumping straight to a submission on a dazed Islam similar to what Islam did to “Charles” in the first fight. Islam really has never fought someone that hits as hard as Oliveira, Adriano Martins absolutely floored him so are we sure he has the granite chin of a Khabib? We would know for sure if he had fought a Poirier/Gaethje but this guy got fast tracked. I’m going with the experience, strength of schedule, and adaptability of Oliveira in this one. If anyone is going to beat this guy at lightweight, it’s Charles. (This also could potentially set up my #1 dream fight of all time, Charles Oliveira VS Alexander Volkanovski, who the hell doesn’t want to see that?)

Maybe I’m delusional, maybe I’ve been telling my friends I think Charles will win so damn often that I’m actually starting to believe it, or maybe I’m the greatest fight predictor of all time. Who knows though? It’s MMA.

Also, if Charles loses let’s see him run it back with Holloway. Holloway could be champ again at 145 again after a Volk retirement but he can’t get a 4th fight being down 3-0. This fight could main event a PPV with no title for sure.

not sure if I'll actually end up picking Oliveira yet but I really hope you're right. I want him to win so bad (if u couldn't tell by my pfp lol) 

* Edited at 09.19.2023, 3:30 PM ET *

Oh friend I am picking him, who cares about getting one tapology pick wrong? Don’t be that guy that’s “happy to be wrong” like a lot of Charles fans said after picking Dariush (imagine), pick your favorite fighter to win, it’s even sweeter when it happens.