Aug 2312 min read

Confidence

Confidence motivated drifts directed the air Down Under as UFC 305 thrilled the masses in Perth. South Africa's confident king slayed the Last Style Bender; Perth's boy felt the electricity of KKF; and The Hangman has returned to the main stage looking for a final crack at the Lightweight elite. The main-card brought the noise, shockingly leavin' a good enough taste for us to have after another disgusting showing at the scorer's table.

Dricus du Plessis has extended his exceptional winning streak- I'll talk the champ and his performance as well as Dan Hooker's performance; the main-card, and the nasty commission. I also have brand new updates to both my Men and Women Pound-4-Pound lists to discuss and release. The slate is set. Lets get to the nitty gritty.

The action Down Under rode the waves on both sides of the spectrum. There was good; there was bad; and there was the in-between. The Main-Card delivered mostly good- which was a win. Six of the twelve fights across the card were finishes, with three of the six coming on the main menu. We had some really strong moments; on the flip, we had some really frustrating moments along with it. The second fight of the night gave off an alarming warning when we witnessed one judge score a fight 29-28 with another scoring the same fight a 30-26. I felt the warning; sending a post on X begging for it not to be one of those nights... knowing all too well that it was sure to be one of those nights.

It seems to be every international event we can expect the commission and judges to be a joke. Western Australia's Combat Sports Commission joined the fray of the nasty with allowing that jobber Howie Booth a seat at the table. Surely that cat had some bets placed, right? I mean come on... that or he only likes Aussies. Regardless, the guy should have never been given the opportunity to judge. Booth was the clown who scored the 29-28 in the landslide second fight, then topped that with his blatant score of favoritism for Tai Tuivasa (30-27). That being the final straw as the commission removed him from judging any of the final three fights on the evening. Which I will say; was a decision worth a clap of the hands.

Accountability!? Wow... might have been late, but it was done. I applaud that. Placing accountability and penalizing a judge for spittin' on the integrity of the sport needs to happen more in the future. What's up with these international commissions? It's every damn event. I won't bet on this sport, maybe a few bucks for fun, but never would I bet a good sum of coin knowing I could get slapped in the face by some nerd who is in for a fix. Dana White, his team, and TKO need to get the drawing board out and figure out some kind of loop-hole or solution to using athletic commissions.

Again, we still had a ton of positive noise rang out to lite up the skies in Perth. Aussies Tom Nolan, Jack Jenkins, and Casey O'Neill put in a trifecta of solid performances to earns dubs back-to-back-to-back on the Prelims. Main card brought the noise to follow them up. KKF entered the Octagon POISED and ran right through Erceg. Before Kara-France's electric KO, we had rising welterweight Carlos Prates continue his chain of knockouts to extend his MMA win streak to 10, and his UFC undefeated streak to 4 (including DWS). Prates now has a 9-KO streak. No man had ever knocked out the Leech in 29 of Jingliang's MMA bouts; Prates went in and slept him without breaking a sweat for a Performance of the Night & a loud statement to the high rankings of the 170ers. Be wary of Prates. The dude is a menace and has his sights set. Here is his chain of KOs that officially has his name on the UFC welterweight map:

video via @CombatLibrary//X

The Hangman is officially back to declaring culprits to hang across the lightweight division as he extends his winning streak to three with a FOTN earning dub over 5th ranked Mateusz Gamrot. I personally had Gamrot with the decision, but Hooker receiving the dub wasn't off the walls outlandish. It was a damn good fight. Hooker showed some of that trademark striking and countering to take a huge, career elevating decision. He's back in the top-5 of the lightweight ranks.

Hooker made the right decision to halt his featherweight dreams after losing his weight-coming featherweight fight to the hands of Arnold Allen. That L put Hooker's UFC featherweight record to 3-4, he felt 155 was still his rightful home, and he felt right. Hangman now has huge wins over Jalin Turner and Gamrot to push his lightweight record to 11-4 and push his name up the lightweight ladder. Hangman returns to the tier that he peaked at before being violently punished back down the ladder. The three sharks who did the punishing are still swimming in this tier. Is the Hangman ready for redemption?

Hooker beating Gamrot is a massive win for him. Massive win. I still question if the Hangman can slay the sharks above him in the top-5, however. Hooker would avenge his loss to Chandler, that I'd bet on, especially as I watch Chandler waste time hoping for a McGregor fight. Gaethje and/or Poirier? The optimism still feels low. Hooker looked good against Gamrot. Good enough to create SOME optimism when considering his chances against JG or Poirier, but it would be no small feat for the Hangman to slay either one. Same to be said regarding the other two top-5 contenders- Oliveira & Tsarukyan.

UFC is rumored to be looking at Hooker to fight Oliveira next. That's a tough fight; one that with a win- would prove Hooker to be a certified championship contender at 155 and a safe bet to beat the gate-keepers in Gaethje and Poirier (it's just a reference relax). Is Oliveira a good next opp for Hooker? I for one, love the vision. A rematch against DP is an awesome route too, but I don't see Poirier signing the dotted line for that one with how the first ended. The win over Gamrot takes a Beneil Dariush out of the equation, and who knows what the hell is on Chandler's mind. Olives might just be the guy. I must say it again- the Gamrot win is massive.

I think there is still a chance we see the champ Islam, defend against Tsarukyan in Abu Dhabi on October 26th. Tsarukyan needed to send out an anti-bullying PSA to get his suspension reduced in time to compete, but does his suspension (LV Commission) even include international fights? I am unsure; I am sure that Tsarukyan is the next man in line. Then you have the Oliveira/Hooker bout to book to find out the next after that. Clarity at 155. What a flip for Hooker. He can execute a major springboard move from that Gamrot win. From falling out of the division; to a possible title shot just one win away.

South Africa's unorthodox king has done it again! The rise of Dricus du Plessis continues. What a rise it has been, with the finish of the Last Style Bender being the achievement to push the rise to a grand horizon. DDP extends his active MMA win streak to 12 in a row, as he remains undefeated in the UFC (8-0), with six finishes. The rise is officially legit. Rather you all like it or not.

People have always been quick to judge du Plessis' fighting style, fight habits, and technique. Mostly the technique as he tends to throw wildly and awkwardly. Ya know what? Judge all you want; the cat is winning and that's the bottom line. Francis Ngannou was the same way in terms of striking technique. DDP looks goofy at times and will throw his head forward like it's no big deal (which causes the funny body headbutts). Unorthodox and rough, but it has led to a 6-year undefeated streak. What I love, and it's a beauty of the sport- a guy with the technique of DDP beating arguably the greatest technical striker of all-time & one of the most aesthetic strikers at that in Adesanya. Having that weird technique helps him at times as it's impossible to game-plan around. It sure helped him at 305.

Both Strickland and Adesanya, two of the best strikers not just at 185, but across the entire MMA world; had struggled against that unorthodox style. The style plus DDP's workhorse type gas tank is the reason he slayed Adesanya. DDP applied the pressure to put Izzy in the right position to put him out:

video via @MyDolo_Lonely//X

A true predator pouncing on the prey type of sequence. You can call DDP's style goofy and cringy, but his style had THE Style Bender in a loop wondering what to do. Had Izzy back-pedaling then falling right into the lap of the attack. Easy money subby. Just a brilliant finish to build on to the brilliant run. One of the sharpest four-fight slayings we have seen in the Octagon: Brunson-Whittaker-Strickland-Adesanya. DDP slayed the four in just a 532 day window. There is no more denying du Plessis. The champ is officially legit. Powered by an unreal wave of confidence and heart. DDP is a straight up machine, taking out goals like it's a walk in the park. How far can he go?

It will be interesting to see how the next few months pan out as we find out just who will be the next to challenge DDP. Sean Strickland is adamant that it must be him; you have Dricus teasing Alex Pereira; Imavov & Allen are scheduled for an eliminator in September; and we could face the fear of an 11th ranked Chimaev begging for a title shot if he were to actually show up and beat the Reaper in Abu Dhabi (Oct. 26th). If I am Hunter and Dana- I have Strickland & Pereira on the top of the board with two options. You either run Strickland/Dricus II in 2024, so UFC 309 at MSG or 310 in Vegas (Strickland will beg for 310 in Vegas). If it's Pereira over Strickland next, you only run that at 185. Dricus needs to pipe down with the 205 tease, I see what you are trying to do; it's not happening. Sure has better not happen- I'd hope.

Pereira going back down to 185 to challenge for the belt is the only option for that pairing. The plot is there too, especially with Alex's hilarious IG post. As a matchmaker, it's a win-win. DDP slaying Pereira would stamp him to the highest echelon. Pereira beating DDP could set up the final chapter with Adesanya, a fight fans will die for even after Adesanya's back-to-back losses. The pairing is a great option to book; only at 185.

To put a stamp on my opinion, I think you rock with booking Strickland II for December 7th due to Pereira being booked to defend his 205 crown against Roundtree Jr. in October. That opens up a potential boomer in 2025 if they can lock in the South Africa plans (still tough) and have all the other stars align (DDP retaining & AP being interested). If not, you still have the eliminators with Whittaker, Chimaev, Allen, and Imavov to take place that can fill the ladder in the future. Matchmaking shouldn't have too many issues in the 185 sphere. It's all right there, cha heard.

A final toast to DDP's thrilling accomplishment. I wanted to change my pick from Adesanya to DDP the moment I saw the emotions at the presser. DDP's confidence is real. I saw it, but decided to stick with my guns. He proved me wrong, as he did many others. Having an unorthodox style or even lacking in some departments, means nothing when you possess a kill or be killed mentality. When you possess an unreal level of confidence. DDP has that; and then some. Which is why he has that 185 strap around his waist. Kudos to him and his finish of Izzy.

Now, allow me to spread that toast to the man who was defeated. Adesanya showed nothing but class and humbleness in the wake of failure. You don't see the level of humbleness he displayed after losing, much in this new day. The sport of MMA is one that shows the display the most, but still in shades. For example, just a few fights prior we witnessed the actions of sore-loser, Junior Tafa. Adesanya's display touched some chords with me after considering everything in play for him.

The main reason I picked Adesanya to win was him having everything on the line. We saw a glimpse of the weight on his shoulders when he got emotional speaking on fighting for his family, rather than his legacy at the presser. I'm sure in his heart; he felt he was fighting for both. Adesanya was fighting with everything on the line, that's fact: his legacy (in the eyes of some), his love for Nigeria & West Africa, and his place on the ladder of the elite. Never had Adesanya lost two in a row. People began to call for his end. The pressure was real.

Despite coming up short and being finished for just the second time in his career, Adesanya immediately rose back to his feet to congratulate DDP; burying any bad vibes between the two African warriors. Izzy proceeded to do the same during his mic time; showing respect to DDP and his performance, as well as making a strong statement that the failure wouldn't keep him down. A true display of humbleness and strength. Adesanya then was backstage after the fight, smiling with his family as they met and greeted DDP and his family after Dricus gifted Izzy a cultural designed jacket in solidarity. It was great, and made me respect Adesanya in a big way.

Most competitors who face defeat, show some respect and then march to the locker-room to ponder in silence or to let off emotion they'd rather keep in a closed circle/to themselves. Which has no judgement from me. Adesanya not only was respectful and humble, but he put on a super positive front right after facing a difficult failure; to show strength and spread positivity. It's behavior that needs to be shown more across the masses. Behavior that we want our world's youth to take-in, embrace and replicate. It was role-model type of behavior. A big fan of Adesanya, more so after 305. Adesanya showed that even through defeat; you can be an example of greatness:

video via @oscarswillis//X

I was sure glad to hear Adesanya speak positive & state the he will be back. Anyone who actually wanted that to be his last fight are not MMA fans. Seriously! Must be just a troll or a hater... who the hell doesn't want the Last Style Bender in the fray of the UFC elite? The UFC is already kind of hurting on star-power in my opinion; having Adesanya hang the gloves would have been awful. Adesanya is one of the greatest combat specimens in MMA history. A true generational talent. It's very odd that this generation changes energy when someone fails. They will skip over years and years of excellence and success just to degrade one off a failure or two. Weird generation. Excited he's not done. So! What's next for Izzy?

This is a big speed bump for Izzy, no doubt. Thankfully for him, he still can get a top fight no questions asked. Won't be a title fight, not yet at least, but the options for him are still there... just in short order. The timeframe in which Izzy wants to fight in, will play a huge part. I wouldn't be surprised if it's quicker than we expect it to be. Right now the options are low. I don't see any way of getting Sean Strickland to sign on for Adesanya II. Strickland is hellbent on being next up for the strap. Ranks three, four, five, and seven are a) booked for late 2024 and b) been ran through by Adesanya already. I think the best option is to wait out the Whittaker/Khamzat fight. The winner should get Adesanya. If Khamzat gets through Whittaker and Izzy back-to-back, then he can have a legitimate voice in asking for a title shot (I don't see it happening). Only if. Outside of that, I don't see much options for Adesanya unless he tries 205 again (please don't).

Founder's updated UFC Pound-4-Pound Lists

Changes on changes across my pound-for-pound lists as we continue to fly through 2024. Changes for both the men and women... and we can only expect more changes as dozens of fights are now signed and official. One change will pop out the most: Dricus moving over fellow champions O'Malley, Muhammad, and Topuria to take a place in the 6th seat.

I made that change off resume and SOS- strength of slayings. Topuria still has his zero, but the resume is the one big dub over Volk (a HUGE dub indeed). Muhammad took out Leon Edwards, but now needs to defend the strap and build his resume. Suga Sean's back-to-back wins over Yan & Aljo were impressive, but the win over Chito was more a fan pleaser. My final ponder came down to Sean's trifecta of Yan-Aljo-Chito versus Dricus' trifecta of Whittaker-Strickland-Adesanya. Dricus has the more impressive trifecta, a trifecta built off a nice win over Derek Brunson. Take the 6-spot DDP, but tread carefully. Sean getting a dub over Merab and Ilia getting a dub over Holloway will be MAJOR case builders. I'm stoked to watch how these fall fights pan out. Changes in the P4P are imminent. I will drop my FULL rankings for your way out. Top-35 Men & Top-25 Women:

Confidence

Men's P4P: 8.23

Women's P4P: 8.23

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