Dlo’s Fight Prediction Record: 4-1
Winner’s Circle
Khabib-
The only fight I predicted wrong in my fight preview. Khabib put on an absolute master class vs Gaethje, setting the pace on him early, and really sucking the wind out of him… never allowing him to get comfortable in the fight. The All-American wrestling, that a lot of people (myself included) thought would play a factor, was nonexistent. Khabib scored his 2 takedowns easily and it was pretty obvious as soon as it hit the canvas in the 2nd round that it was over. The biggest surprise of the fight to me was the confidence in which Khabib was striking. We have seen him look uncomfortable on his feet in the past, but that was not the case today. This really showed the evolution of Khabib turning into a complete fighter. A lot of people thought Gaethje was his toughest matchup in the division, and he showed why he is a notch above everyone. The biggest story of the fight came when he unexpectedly retired after the fight. He will be one of the few combat sport athletes to walk away on top. He ended his career with a great finish, showing his true dominance. There was no competition left for him and he had nothing more to prove. Showing he is the greatest lightweight and possibly greatest fighter ever. Now we wait and see if a date with GSP will be enough to pull him out of retirement.
Robert Whittaker:
This was a great showing by a former champion, showing he is far from done, with the top of this division. His jab, as well as in and out movement, was on another level. He landed his jab at will, while avoiding the big shots of Cannonier. There was a scare at the end of the fight as Whittaker seemed to have gassed himself out going for the finish, but he was able to survive. This fight has almost certainly secured him a rematch with the Style Bender. I think he let his emotions get the best of him in the 1st fight and he also did not look like himself. If he can come into the 2nd fight much more composed, I think it will be a great scrap that I look forward to (assuming Izzy doesn’t move up to light heavyweight.)
Alexander Volkov-
This was a good win by Volkov who, as I predicated, was able to use his more technical striking while avoiding the big shots from Harris. He landed a beautiful body kick in the 2nd round securing him the finish. It is hard to say where Volkov goes from here. He has traded wins in (and losses) in his last 4 fights with 2 losses coming to top 5 opponents. I think a dance with Alistair Overeem is the most logical fight. If he can string together a 3-4 fight winning streak, he can secure a UFC title shot that has eluded him to this point.
Magomed Ankalaev:
Not much to say about this one, as it ended as I expected, with an early finish. Magomed was able to down him with a beautiful left hook before putting his lights out with some vicious ground and pound. There was no “playing possum” from Cutelaba as he was very clearly out like a light. A step up in competition is next for Magomed and it is well deserved, as many have high hopes for him in a weak division. I think a fight with Johnny Walker makes for an exciting matchup and will tell who deserves a crack at the top 5.
Phil Hawes:
Another fight that went as predicted. This was nothing more then a showcase fight for Hawes as he was able to secure the viscous KO victory very early in the first round. I Honestly felt bad for Jacob Malkoun because he had no business being in there with a guy like Hawes, who has way more experience then him. I sometimes question these fight bookings by the UFC as it almost seems dangerous for a guy like Malkoun to be in there against a guy like Hawes. This is not the first time or the last time we will see a mismatch like this with the sole purpose of making one fighter look good. Hawes needs a serious step up in competition because this fight really didn’t tell us anything that we didn’t already know about him. I think a fight with Andrew Sanchez (who Haws previously lost to on The Ultimate Fighter) would make for an excellent matchup.
Until next time…. We’ll make it 9-1