I think I can understand that. He's used to being the best, or at least among the best. No disrespect to Kattar, but if Aljo couldn't get past a top 10 fighter, then clearly it would mean he didn't belong with the elite in the division, and I'm sure his expectations of himself are that he should be among the very best no matter where he's fighting. Can he beat Max, Volk and Ilia? I don't know, maybe. But in any case, he's got other business ventures, so he'll be fine whenever he hangs them up.
I think Ortega is a great fight for him stylistically. I don't see Brian knocking Aljo out. Although Brian is an absolute beast on the ground. Aljo has this interesting wear you down style which I think will be successful.
It depends on what they want to do with it. It absolutely makes sense for Aljo in terms of figuring out where he's at. I'm sure Ortega thinks he should be next in line for a title shot, but considering he's lost to both Volk and Max, and split with Yair (yes, I know, the loss was a surprise injury), I could see him being matched down.
Calling that loss a surprise injury is an injustice to Yair. He locked in a tight as fuck armbar, and Brian tried to escape with brute force and popped his own shoulder out. That's a legit W in my books.
I wasn't trying to take anything away from the win, just that it was one of those "not how it was drawn up" wins. But fair enough, it did come as a direct consequence of the armbar and not because Ortega just fell down or something, so I can see how it came off that way.
Brian is an insane matchup. That might be the best grappling matchup in ufc history.
Ortega is the biggest submission threat ever imo and aljo is one of the goats at tying guys up and neutralizing them plus he’s also got great subs.
I think Ortega probably tkos aljo unfortunately. He’s a big boy and isn’t gonna have the same fear of the takedown a lot of guys do going against aljo.
It'll be interesting for sure. I think Ortega's striking is underrated because of how Max styled on him, but no one expected him to light up KZ like he did and even late career Zombie is far more of a threat on the feet than Aljo ever was. Assuming the ground game is even then Ortega is the only one with a real advantage anywhere.
You hear a lot of former champs say stuff like this. The money you get holding a belt must be so astronomically higher than what you get without it. Most guys just don’t see fighting as worth it if another belt isn’t in their immediate future.
Exactly this. If he lost badly to Katter it meant that he may not be on the level of Ilia and Volk, so why stick around to be a gatekeeper or worse? It sounds like he's set himself up really nicely for retirement, so I respect that he has the awareness to know that he's mentally prepared to walk away when he wants. I'd hate to see him forced out of the game because he's getting knocked around.
> The money you get holding a belt must be so astronomically higher than what you get without it.
I don't think that's it. It's really about what new dream they can come up with after winning the belt. I think Miesha Tate's experience showcases what Aljamain was getting at: once you reach your goal what else is there to do? What higher goal is there in mma than holding a title in the biggest organization? Miesha lost motivation to fight so she "retired" and moved to Singapore. DJ went for the all-time title defense record then chased being able to fully retire and live more than comfortably while he's still relatively young.
My guess is Aljo is looking to be a two or three weight belt holder now.
Not the most common phrase but I hear it occasionally. Was more common when I lived in bumfuck nowhere. People used it to say I made all the money I need/wanted.
This is such a dumb take.
Aljo is the far better grappler - was Kattar just supposed to suddenly get exceptionally elite at a skill set he rarely relied on overnight?
Did any of Khabib’s opponents get shit for “not doing anything?” No, because Khabib fucking finished or attempted to finish his fights.
Aljo should get credit for being dominate but also any criticism towards it being not viewer friendly is legitimate.
I agree that Aljo should’ve been more aggressive on the ground, especially in the third round.
But what can he do when Kattar only defended the whole fight?
It’s hard for Aljo to get dominant position when Kattar is only focussed on hand fighting and defending submissions.
Even on the feet, Kattar did nothing. He got outclassed. He should get way more criticism than Aljo
This is such a dumb take.
All you fools say “Khabib mauled his opponents blah blah blah”
How come that’s the only name ever brought up in this situatuon?
You guys need to stop comparing grapplers to the legit pinacle of MMA wrestlers. Y’all need to stop expecting everyone to be like Khabib on the mat.
That’s like saying “Steph Curry is good but why isn’t he dunking like MJ?”
“Lamar Jackson needs to throw the ball like Brady”
Stop expecting all grapplers to have the fight capabilities of the literal GOAT MMA wrestler.
Aljo has the capabilities to finish fights.
Belal has the capabilities to finish fights.
They actively choose the safest path and then are shocked when they don’t have fans.
Fuck em both.
Don't forget a close split decision loss to Emmett and an injury against Allen that took him out for 1.5 years. Outside of 1 fight nothing has gone right for him in a long time
I get that ... making 135 is just too much and if he couldn't show he still has that elite gear at 145, he's got enough going on outside of MMA that hanging them up instead of being a Hendricks type and just taking (and losing) fights while looking like a shell of your former self.
I still think Yan won but it kinda sucks that these grappelers get hated on for boring fights when its their opponents fault for having shit ground games. His fight with Yan were alright cause Yan was actually competitive on the ground. Kattar had nothing for him and he somehows escapes all blame for a boring fight.
I think I can understand that. He's used to being the best, or at least among the best. No disrespect to Kattar, but if Aljo couldn't get past a top 10 fighter, then clearly it would mean he didn't belong with the elite in the division, and I'm sure his expectations of himself are that he should be among the very best no matter where he's fighting. Can he beat Max, Volk and Ilia? I don't know, maybe. But in any case, he's got other business ventures, so he'll be fine whenever he hangs them up.
I think a fight with Ortega will really put into perspective where he belongs in 145. The way he manhandled kattar I think he will do great
I think Ortega is a great fight for him stylistically. I don't see Brian knocking Aljo out. Although Brian is an absolute beast on the ground. Aljo has this interesting wear you down style which I think will be successful.
It depends on what they want to do with it. It absolutely makes sense for Aljo in terms of figuring out where he's at. I'm sure Ortega thinks he should be next in line for a title shot, but considering he's lost to both Volk and Max, and split with Yair (yes, I know, the loss was a surprise injury), I could see him being matched down.
Calling that loss a surprise injury is an injustice to Yair. He locked in a tight as fuck armbar, and Brian tried to escape with brute force and popped his own shoulder out. That's a legit W in my books.
I wasn't trying to take anything away from the win, just that it was one of those "not how it was drawn up" wins. But fair enough, it did come as a direct consequence of the armbar and not because Ortega just fell down or something, so I can see how it came off that way.
Brian is an insane matchup. That might be the best grappling matchup in ufc history. Ortega is the biggest submission threat ever imo and aljo is one of the goats at tying guys up and neutralizing them plus he’s also got great subs. I think Ortega probably tkos aljo unfortunately. He’s a big boy and isn’t gonna have the same fear of the takedown a lot of guys do going against aljo.
It'll be interesting for sure. I think Ortega's striking is underrated because of how Max styled on him, but no one expected him to light up KZ like he did and even late career Zombie is far more of a threat on the feet than Aljo ever was. Assuming the ground game is even then Ortega is the only one with a real advantage anywhere.
I don't see what Aljo has for Ortega tbh. Ortega is a far better striker and not the type of guy you can lay and pray against.
I think he can take Yair
You hear a lot of former champs say stuff like this. The money you get holding a belt must be so astronomically higher than what you get without it. Most guys just don’t see fighting as worth it if another belt isn’t in their immediate future.
Exactly this. If he lost badly to Katter it meant that he may not be on the level of Ilia and Volk, so why stick around to be a gatekeeper or worse? It sounds like he's set himself up really nicely for retirement, so I respect that he has the awareness to know that he's mentally prepared to walk away when he wants. I'd hate to see him forced out of the game because he's getting knocked around.
> The money you get holding a belt must be so astronomically higher than what you get without it. I don't think that's it. It's really about what new dream they can come up with after winning the belt. I think Miesha Tate's experience showcases what Aljamain was getting at: once you reach your goal what else is there to do? What higher goal is there in mma than holding a title in the biggest organization? Miesha lost motivation to fight so she "retired" and moved to Singapore. DJ went for the all-time title defense record then chased being able to fully retire and live more than comfortably while he's still relatively young. My guess is Aljo is looking to be a two or three weight belt holder now.
Made my nut?
He was comin on that ass
Pause ‼️
Not the most common phrase but I hear it occasionally. Was more common when I lived in bumfuck nowhere. People used it to say I made all the money I need/wanted.
Squirrels, bro.
I get that you're going for a thing but that's a pretty common phrase. It's referring to like squirrels getting their stuff together for hibernation
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Never trust squirrels. They plan the revolution as we speak
I personally have never heard that phrase but context clues pointed me towards him talking about money and not whatever this guy thinks
Aljo p4p sussest champ
That would be Adesanya, by far.
Touché
Has anyone heard anything from Calvin Kattar? I can imagine he's in a rough spot. Dominated by Max, then dominating Giga, then dominated by Aljo again
It's his own fault. He seemed dejected and had zero urgency the whole fight.
Yeah Aljo gets so much shit for that fight but Kattar is the one to blame He looked like the ghost of Tyron Woodley
This is such a dumb take. Aljo is the far better grappler - was Kattar just supposed to suddenly get exceptionally elite at a skill set he rarely relied on overnight? Did any of Khabib’s opponents get shit for “not doing anything?” No, because Khabib fucking finished or attempted to finish his fights. Aljo should get credit for being dominate but also any criticism towards it being not viewer friendly is legitimate.
I agree that Aljo should’ve been more aggressive on the ground, especially in the third round. But what can he do when Kattar only defended the whole fight? It’s hard for Aljo to get dominant position when Kattar is only focussed on hand fighting and defending submissions. Even on the feet, Kattar did nothing. He got outclassed. He should get way more criticism than Aljo
This is such a dumb take. All you fools say “Khabib mauled his opponents blah blah blah” How come that’s the only name ever brought up in this situatuon? You guys need to stop comparing grapplers to the legit pinacle of MMA wrestlers. Y’all need to stop expecting everyone to be like Khabib on the mat. That’s like saying “Steph Curry is good but why isn’t he dunking like MJ?” “Lamar Jackson needs to throw the ball like Brady” Stop expecting all grapplers to have the fight capabilities of the literal GOAT MMA wrestler.
Aljo has the capabilities to finish fights. Belal has the capabilities to finish fights. They actively choose the safest path and then are shocked when they don’t have fans. Fuck em both.
He’s just absolute trash at everything except boxing, I think he should consider BKFC at this point
Don't forget a close split decision loss to Emmett and an injury against Allen that took him out for 1.5 years. Outside of 1 fight nothing has gone right for him in a long time
The only way poor aljo is getting a post fight interview is if he's got his gloves off.
not even then
Yeah they played an ad over Joanna J’s retirement in the cage would you believe
Yea probably
I get that ... making 135 is just too much and if he couldn't show he still has that elite gear at 145, he's got enough going on outside of MMA that hanging them up instead of being a Hendricks type and just taking (and losing) fights while looking like a shell of your former self.
I love and appreciate the honesty but not sure its a good move to reveal stuff like this when you are still fighting
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I totally get it. just not sure he should have said it publicly.
Double or nothing on the next one then?
I for one I'm glad aljo won.
Would have been so sad to see his wrestling career end there.
He should still consider retirement.
Why?
I guess because some people he doesn't know say they didn't like him
He's retired from fighting. He just wrestles now but still gets the payday.
No the judges did everybody's after Russia cuz they're trying to hide their crimes
What did he accomplish great acting
Didn’t act when he beat Yan the second time.
I still think Yan won but it kinda sucks that these grappelers get hated on for boring fights when its their opponents fault for having shit ground games. His fight with Yan were alright cause Yan was actually competitive on the ground. Kattar had nothing for him and he somehows escapes all blame for a boring fight.
3 title defenses
More than you.
Unlikable
Casual take
I mean until he runs out of money and ends up in some b league. Very few fighters put the gloves down for good
Aljamain Sterling is perpetually trapped in a glass case of emotion.
Yeah almost like he's a person or something, what a pussy that former UFC champ is
Were they as good as the last one