Some of you guys are impossible to please

[daniel san]

It will most certainly be an entertaining fight, but what's the point with Max moving to LW again? He's not a LW. He's going to get brain damage. It will be entertaining, sure, but he's in for a Ferguson beating. I don't think Gaethje should be fighting Islam next, but I don't see a point in him fighting a FW. A win against Max does nothing for him at LW.

Still, I'm not going to complain, UFC 300 is actually shaping up quite nicely and even though I don't think it will be a competitive fight, I like violence and it will for sure be violent.

 

[BangBang]

yeah it's like a fun one for the fans. These kinda fights come around every once in a while.

I can understand wishing Islam would fight, Or max could get a title fight. but this keeps max from picking off potential volk contenders while keeping max right up at the top of the division in FW. Gaethje I hope is getting paid a boat load of cash in this one and it keeps him paid in big fights against a big name opponent in Max.

Love it for Max, Love it for Gaethje, Love it for the fact it'll surely be an exciting fight.

What's not to like?

They’re not equally matched. It’s as simple as that. You won’t get the usual Max with the 5 or 6 punch combos

Well no, it's not MMA math, it's weight class.

You can see Max visibly hurt with every clean shot from Dustin. Have you seen Max hurt often at FW?

And in the same vein, Max couldn't get much respect with his power either.

Good ol logic is what it is

thats exactly right. And this underlies how the fight will go. Max won’t be able to get his combination going because his shots won’t stun Justin in the same way as his FW opponents and Max won’t be able to walk through Justin’s shots he it jab or other.

The dynamics of fighting a LW are just completely different and in favour of the heavier opponent.

 

[drbolony]

I see mostly negative reactions to the Max vs Gaethje fight, and I can't understand why?

A lot of people crying how Justin should be fighting Makhachev, and how Makhachev should ditch his ramadan, and how the BMF belt is meaningless, as arguments for why this fight shouldn't be happening.

I don't get it, I think it's a great matchup, I think it's perfect for both. Who cares about divisions, and titles, and BMF belts... just look at the fight itself.

You have 2 guys who are really really good, but just not good enough to be champ in their division. They can beat just about anyone else in their weight class, just not the guy holding the belt.

If you look at their recent records they are almost identical in the sense that both lost in a title shot back in 2020, then came back with a couple of wins, then both lost their next title shot in 2022, then both bounced back with 2 wins each since.

Either one of them against the champ in their division is not interesting to me, for one they're rematches (yes, Justin vs Islam is basically a rematch of Justing vs Khabib, and we all know that's how it ends again, we've all seen that movie).

This fight is great first and foremost because of that, because it's not a rematch, they are two legends from different weight classes and we have no idea how it ends.

It's also great because Justin is best known for breaking his opponents, and Max is best known for being unbreakable, he's always there til the very end and he doesn't get tired much, and he doesn't roll over.

So it's either that, or Max vs Volk 4, Justin vs whoever part 2 or 3, or a fresh new matchup that should be a real treat for the fans regardless of stakes or titles.

This is gonna be a war for as long as it lasts, I don't know what else they're gonna add to this card but I could easily see this ending up fight of the night.

The way you laid this out is exactly how boxing promoters try to sell us their nonsense fights.

Just last week Callum Smith was fed to a PED'ed out Artur Beterbiev (allegedly). The promotion went on and on about how Smith had only lost to p4p great Canelo, and how even in that fight he wasn't dropped. Not only that, he hasn't been dropped in his entire career, and the Englishman even came equipped with power of his own. Basically a "legitimate threat".

Of course to those in the know, none of Smith's attributes mattered. "Mundo", though successful at Light Heavyweight, made his mark fighting Super Middleweights, and even there he struggled at the upper echelons of competition. So it was to no surprise that Beterbiev came in and absolutely dog walked this man for 7 rounds. Further reminding us that weight classes exist for a reason.

Max is my guy, so it really hurts my heart to compare him to Callum Smith, but in this situation the parallels are uncanny.

Max has already lost at LW to DP and had trouble with a p4p great at his weight class 3 times. His punches weren't much stronger at LW than they were at FW, DP wasn't respecting Max much at all until the later rounds when he was exhausted. On the flip side, though Max wore the damage well, despite the fact that DP had Max performing a circus act with every connection. Now you want to throw Max in there against a guy who hits harder and is more durable, 6 years after the LW fight we just referenced?

Skill for skill Max is the superior striker, but there is a point of diminishing returns when the small guy is coming up to fight a bigger puncher/hitter (who is also a great counter striker), especially when the smaller fighter is known for absorbing damage and the fan base has been waiting for his "chin to crack".

They’re not equally matched. It’s as simple as that. You won’t get the usual Max with the 5 or 6 punch combos

thats exactly right. And this underlies how the fight will go. Max won’t be able to get his combination going because his shots won’t stun Justin in the same way as his FW opponents and Max won’t be able to walk through Justin’s shots he it jab or other.

The dynamics of fighting a LW are just completely different and in favour of the heavier opponent.

Well dang, I took too long to type this out, Lol.

 

[TheTickG]

I see mostly negative reactions to the Max vs Gaethje fight, and I can't understand why?

A lot of people crying how Justin should be fighting Makhachev, and how Makhachev should ditch his ramadan, and how the BMF belt is meaningless, as arguments for why this fight shouldn't be happening.

I don't get it, I think it's a great matchup, I think it's perfect for both. Who cares about divisions, and titles, and BMF belts... just look at the fight itself.

You have 2 guys who are really really good, but just not good enough to be champ in their division. They can beat just about anyone else in their weight class, just not the guy holding the belt.

If you look at their recent records they are almost identical in the sense that both lost in a title shot back in 2020, then came back with a couple of wins, then both lost their next title shot in 2022, then both bounced back with 2 wins each since.

Either one of them against the champ in their division is not interesting to me, for one they're rematches (yes, Justin vs Islam is basically a rematch of Justing vs Khabib, and we all know that's how it ends again, we've all seen that movie).

This fight is great first and foremost because of that, because it's not a rematch, they are two legends from different weight classes and we have no idea how it ends.

It's also great because Justin is best known for breaking his opponents, and Max is best known for being unbreakable, he's always there til the very end and he doesn't get tired much, and he doesn't roll over.

So it's either that, or Max vs Volk 4, Justin vs whoever part 2 or 3, or a fresh new matchup that should be a real treat for the fans regardless of stakes or titles.

This is gonna be a war for as long as it lasts, I don't know what else they're gonna add to this card but I could easily see this ending up fight of the night.

Good matchup between two people who don't deserve another title shot.

 

[ObsoleteSoul]

I’m one of the lone fans that doesn’t mind fighters not having a fight that propels them forward in a meaningful way. If it is an entertaining matchup, I want to see it. This will be one of those, so I’m happy.

 

[AstralPanda]

The way you laid this out is exactly how boxing promoters try to sell us their nonsense fights.

Just last week Callum Smith was fed to a PED'ed out Artur Beterbiev (allegedly). The promotion went on and on about how Smith had only lost to p4p great Canelo, and how even in that fight he wasn't dropped. Not only that, he hasn't been dropped in his entire career, and the Englishman even came equipped with power of his own. Basically a "legitimate threat".

Of course to those in the know, none of Smith's attributes mattered. "Mundo", though successful at Light Heavyweight, made his mark fighting Super Middleweights, and even there he struggled at the upper echelons of competition. So it was to no surprise that Beterbiev came in and absolutely dog walked this man for 7 rounds. Further reminding us that weight classes exist for a reason.

Max is my guy, so it really hurts my heart to compare him to Callum Smith, but in this situation the parallels are uncanny.

Max has already lost at LW to DP and had trouble with a p4p great at his weight class 3 times. His punches weren't much stronger at LW than they were at FW, DP wasn't respecting Max much at all until the later rounds when he was exhausted. On the flip side, though Max wore the damage well, despite the fact that DP had Max performing a circus act with every connection. Now you want to throw Max in there against a guy who hits harder and is more durable, 6 years after the LW fight we just referenced?

Skill for skill Max is the superior striker, but there is a point of diminishing returns when the small guy is coming up to fight a bigger puncher/hitter (who is also a great counter striker), especially when the smaller fighter is known for absorbing damage and the fan base has been waiting for his "chin to crack".


Well dang, I took too long to type this out, Lol.

If he bulks a bit, problem solved. He's not small, think he walks around at 190+

For whatever reason, he didn't feel the need to gaiin extra weight for Dustin though. Probably because he was still fw champ. If he committed, would've been rough going back down.

But he could commit to some gains here, maybe even take a few 155 fights afterwards

If Max shows up reasonably sized, this isn't a bad fight for him stylistically.

Personally, I wouldn't sleep on him here.

 

[Koro_11]

The way you laid this out is exactly how boxing promoters try to sell us their nonsense fights.

Just last week Callum Smith was fed to a PED'ed out Artur Beterbiev (allegedly). The promotion went on and on about how Smith had only lost to p4p great Canelo, and how even in that fight he wasn't dropped. Not only that, he hasn't been dropped in his entire career, and the Englishman even came equipped with power of his own. Basically a "legitimate threat".

Of course to those in the know, none of Smith's attributes mattered. "Mundo", though successful at Light Heavyweight, made his mark fighting Super Middleweights, and even there he struggled at the upper echelons of competition. So it was to no surprise that Beterbiev came in and absolutely dog walked this man for 7 rounds. Further reminding us that weight classes exist for a reason.

Max is my guy, so it really hurts my heart to compare him to Callum Smith, but in this situation the parallels are uncanny.

Max has already lost at LW to DP and had trouble with a p4p great at his weight class 3 times. His punches weren't much stronger at LW than they were at FW, DP wasn't respecting Max much at all until the later rounds when he was exhausted. On the flip side, though Max wore the damage well, despite the fact that DP had Max performing a circus act with every connection. Now you want to throw Max in there against a guy who hits harder and is more durable, 6 years after the LW fight we just referenced?

Skill for skill Max is the superior striker, but there is a point of diminishing returns when the small guy is coming up to fight a bigger puncher/hitter (who is also a great counter striker), especially when the smaller fighter is known for absorbing damage and the fan base has been waiting for his "chin to crack".


Well dang, I took too long to type this out, Lol.

Do I need to point out the countless examples where the smaller guy moved up and won.

Or the countless examples where MMA math was wrong.

Or the countless examples of fighters who improve or decline.

If you’re THAT sure, bet the farm on Justin and post your slip sherbro.

 

[BangBang]

They’re not equally matched. It’s as simple as that. You won’t get the usual Max with the 5 or 6 punch combos

thats exactly right. And this underlies how the fight will go. Max won’t be able to get his combination going because his shots won’t stun Justin in the same way as his FW opponents and Max won’t be able to walk through Justin’s shots he it jab or other.

The dynamics of fighting a LW are just completely different and in favour of the heavier opponent.

What you mofo?!!! I’ll stab you.

 

[Marko Polo]

So what will you say if Max wins?

It’s hard to see that happening unless Max puts on a lot of weight

 

[Dana's Conscience]

A Makhachev vs. Gaethje fight would just be a formality. Islam's too defensively sound on the feet and would boa constrictor Justin on the ground in about 5-10 seconds. I know that Justin deserves a title shot based on his recent resume, but the reality is that he's already had two and couldn't make it to a 3rd round in either. Islam will fight Charles or Arman in the summer, and we'll see what happens after that if Justin beats Max.

 

[sdpdude9]

Do I need to point out the countless examples where the smaller guy moved up and won.

Or the countless examples where MMA math was wrong.

Or the countless examples of fighters who improve or decline.

If you’re THAT sure, bet the farm on Justin and post your slip sherbro.

I favor Gaethje here but this sport has unexpected outcomes like every other card. If we didn’t do fights because we thought we knew the outcome, hardly anybody would fight and we’d lose out on some of the best moments in the history of the sport.

 

[Harlekin]

Gaethje certainly is the favorite, but rounds 4 and 5 will be interesting.
Holloway threw 746 punches against Kattar, 473 against Poirier

Gaethje was dead tired against Fiziev at 174, Chandler 205 and Poirier 1, 213

Gaethje has similar skill as Poirier nowadays, but not his gas tank. And even Poirier needed a second and third wind against Holloway.

Holloway has to make his gas tank a weapon, or he loses the fight.
No figuring your opponent out, no pause nor lazy round. Pressure all the time.

 

[Pechan]

At this point unless is Jesus vs Mohammed as a main event people will be disappointed.

 

[Robbocop]

Both guys should challenge themselves at the higher weight divisions they are both 5'11 (180cm), same height as DC (5'11/180cm) who was LHW and HW champion of the UFC. Igor Vovchanchyn was 5'8 and he fought against heavyweight fighters. Gaethje and Max should bulk up and challenge themselves vs larger fighters.

 

[drbolony]

If he bulks a bit, problem solved. He's not small, think he walks around at 190+

For whatever reason, he didn't feel the need to gaiin extra weight for Dustin though. Probably because he was still fw champ. If he committed, would've been rough going back down.

But he could commit to some gains here, maybe even take a few 155 fights afterwards

If Max shows up reasonably sized, this isn't a bad fight for him stylistically.

Personally, I wouldn't sleep on him here.

Bro, UFC 300 is 3 months away, how do you expect Max to legitimately bulk to LW from here to then? I follow him on IG, he looks to have gained some holiday weight. I expect him to come in skinny fat like he did for DP.

Do I need to point out the countless examples where the smaller guy moved up and won.

Or the countless examples where MMA math was wrong.

Or the countless examples of fighters who improve or decline.

If you’re THAT sure, bet the farm on Justin and post your slip sherbro.

What a total non answer.

MMmath? No I spoke of physical attributes and some things both do well in the cage. I didn't write out a thorough analysis because to me and many on here these things seem pretty obvious.

I would love to place a bet to prove a point, but unfortunately I live in California and sports books are illegal. I would gladly bet you personally though.

Before you put your money where your mouth is though, I'll extend the courtesy of allowing you to explain where you believe Max can excell against Justin? What openings do you see? Your initial reply didn't seem to include any of this. Just false accusations and the same tired, fence sitting talking points you see regurgitated on here by shersheep.

 

[Barteh]

Couldn't agree more. You get Edwards vs belal, You complain. You get a banger like Gaethje vs Max, you complain.


We all should expect the UFC to get freaky on this card. It's the tone they set from the start.

Lots of Max fans on Sherdog, so understandably they aren't very happy with Holloway getting his head banged in against another LW.

 

[RockyLockridge]

Lots of Max fans on Sherdog, so understandably they aren't very happy with Holloway getting his head banged in against another LW.

I’m a max fan too, I like this for him it’s as big of a fight he can get.

I’m a bigger Gaethje supporter though but in this one I think I’m rooting for max, just out of respect to max for taking this fight

 

[AstralPanda]

Bro, UFC 300 is 3 months away, how do you expect Max to legitimately bulk to LW from here to then? I follow him on IG, he looks to have gained some holiday weight. I expect him to come in skinny fat like he did for DP.

What a total non answer.

MMmath? No I spoke of physical attributes and some things both do well in the cage. I didn't write out a thorough analysis because to me and many on here these things seem pretty obvious.

I would love to place a bet to prove a point, but unfortunately I live in California and sports books are illegal. I would gladly bet you personally though.

Before you put your money where your mouth is though, I'll extend the courtesy of allowing you to explain where you believe Max can excell against Justin? What openings do you see? Your initial reply didn't seem to include any of this. Just false accusations and the same tired, fence sitting talking points you see regurgitated on here by shersheep.

I could see him gaining 10 pounds of muscle in 3 months.

Seeing as he's basically been a stick and cut weight to make FW for most of his career, I doubt he's ever really lifted weights.

Would definitely be the smart move for him, given how the Poirier fight went, I'd have to imagine he wouldn't have accepted the fight unless he felt he could bridge the weight gap this time.

But I guess we'll see

If he does show up bigger, this becomes a pretty interesting fight imo

 

[jspn]

i'm just happy to see gaethje fighting again. dude is one of the most exciting fighters to watch in a sport where your prime doesnt last very long.

i dont engage much with the forums anymore because of all the bitching and complaining, so i just come here for fight announcements and updates. Sometimes i stu mble into a bitchy thread and then i roll my eyes and proceed to close the browser.

 

[Dorkman]

I actually think Max has a better chance than most are giving him. If he can neutralize the leg kick game a bit i think Max has a chance if he can turn it into a boxing match. It's a real tough fight, but i'm not counting him out.