Thompson, a disciplined karate-skilled fighter, vows to answer the danger of Woodley’s power punching and strength with activity that was lacking in his tentative first showing.
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Thompson and Woodley fought to a majority draw the first time they fought at UFC 205.
On Saturday, he’ll headline UFC 209 at the T-Mobile Arena against Thompson in a fight that should provide an indication of whether all the attention he’s received – both positive and negative – has translated into making Woodley a fighter fans want to watch.
If Woodley defeats Thompson and continues to egg on the Irish king, Conor may get worked up enough to step up. Before he was a rising prospect, Woodley was “a bag of bones” for some of the more established talent at American Top Team and he’s maintained his allegiance to the South Florida-based fight team every since.
I see this fight going the distance for a second time except that Thompson will sweep the judges’ scorecards en route to a unanimous-decision victory, becoming the new UFC welterweight champion of the world. Unfortunately, it went to a draw.
UFC president Dana White said: “It’s obviously a huge blow”. He has tremendous one-punch KO ability in his hands. “And now, I want to keep defending this belt and become the greatest welterweight of all-time and then eventually the greatest fighter of all-time”. Overeem will need to fight a technically flawless fight for all three rounds, win a decision and earn a title shot. “He has a way of working so well without an ego with Din – they work collectively together on scheduling to be on the same page and I just really love those two guys. I believe it will make a difference if he will incorporate his wrestling in the rematch”, the analyst said.
The first came in the opening round, when Thompson threw a low kick with little disguise and was quickly taken down.
But for all that he’s overcome, his long-term goal may be the one that finally gets him. “So just got to go out there and fight like I normally do”. That changed at UFC 205.
Tyron Woodley is a full eight years into his fight career and rapidly approaching his 35th birthday. “Let’s see in the rematch”, Mr. Icasiano added. The undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov (8-0 in the UFC) against the man on a 9 match winning streak- Tony Ferguson.
The interim lightweight championship was set to be defended with the victor expected to go on to face Conor McGregor for the full version of the belt, but this marks the third time The Eagle and El Cucuy have attempted and failed to meet inside of the Octagon.
“Both have compelling styles, with Nurmagomedov owning some of the best grappling skills in MMA today and Ferguson owning a high-pressure style and dynamic finishing skills”.
Nurmagomedov relentlessly pursues opponents until he can drag them down to the ground.
UFC 209 is stacked with mouth-watering fights and top of the billing on Saturday night is a rematch to savour. Preliminary fights begin at 6:30 p.m.
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