UFC 312 roundup
After some time to reflect on a rather disappointing PPV main event, I wanted to highlight a few key takeaways from UFC 312.
My first big takeaway was Jonathan Micallef. Usually the first fight on an undercard is skippable and the time to order food, but Jonathan Micallef had something to say and boy am I glad I listened. Making his UFC debut (7-1) I wasn’t sure what to make of a debut on a PPV. But within one round I could tell he was ready to make the big jump. At only 25 I have never seen a fighter so poised at such an early point in their career. From bell to bell he dominated and ended with a victory via unanimous decision. His kicks are vicious, and I can’t wait to see how far that takes him.
Another thing I wanted to note was how insanely dominant Weili Zhang is in the women’s pound for pound rankings. I know Tatiana Suarez is super talented and was undefeated up until this point, but I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why Weili would be an underdog. Suarez had one path to victory, wrestling. Unfortunately for her the world class wrestler got out wrestled. Weili was explosive and powerful on the ground, and of course clinical in her standup game. Can Weili make a claim for the best women’s fighter ever? If she keeps it up, 100%
Last but certainly not least, Sean Strickland. Oh how disappointing that was. I knew DDP definitely had improved from their last matchup, but to lose every round has to be a disaster for Sean and his camp. Sean’s great on the mic and in the cage, but let’s be honest, he has one narrow path to victory. That path is teeping and slowly walking you down to a victory with his jabs and hooks. He is hard to hit, but when your opponent lands whatever they want on you, which DDP did, you need to get a little more aggressive. Since Strickland doesn’t have much power, he needs volume to do his damage. Hopefully he can take his “savage sparring rounds” and show how overwhelming he can be in the cage. For now, he definitely won’t have a title shot again so long as DDP is the champ. As for DDP, he is a man on a mission taking out anyone in his way.
Liam Crowley
DiSportsPhotoAgency
Writer
