UFC 200

[Stranger]

Wrestling in MMA isn't boring. Wrestling to only keep your opponent from being able to move without doing a whole lot yourself is. It's why guys like Jon Fitch aren't in the UFC anymore despite the fact that he had a winning record . It's why Ben Askren wasn't resigned by Bellator when his contract was up and why the UFC didn't even try to sign him despite him being the WW champ at Bellator. 

Wrestling is a staple in MMA. It's a necessary skill if one wants to rise through the ranks. 

But I disagree with your defense that if Silva didn't want to just be held down,  he should have trained TDD better. This is obvious. But you keep glossing over the fact that Silva took the fight on two days notice and had only been training for two weeks at that point. He wouldn't have even known who his opponent might have been,  much less game planned against one. So it's only reasonable they he train what he's good at. 

I'm disappointed in Cormier's performance because I know he is better than that. He knows that he's better than that and even admitted he did what he did just to get the win. His victory over Josh Barnett is proof that he can be an aggressive wrestler rather than a passive one. 

He very clearly could have put Silva away if he had really wanted to, especially since Silva didn't have a full camp and took the fight on short notice, but rather he chose to basically lay on Silva the entire fight because he knew he could. I could even condone his performance had Silva had a full 8 week camp to train and game plan against Cormier as Silva would be a dangerous opponent for anyone when he's ready for you, but Silva didn't and should have been an easy finish for someone of Cormier's skill level. Especially considering he knew he was clearly stronger and better than Silva in this fight after the first round. 

I also disagree that Cormier had nothing to gain and everything to lose in this fight. He won the right to say he beat Anderson Silva,  which is a huge feather for anyone's cap. 

He had little to lose because this wasn't a title fight any longer and there is no shame in losing to Silva. Consider McGregor. He was supposed to fight for the LW belt but when that fell through, he went up to WW and lost to Diaz. Yet he's not being shunned or turned down for other opportunities because of that one loss. 

Cormier put up a poor performance. He's capable of better. Simple as that. 

[Mercalius]

Stop using the two days notice thing as an excuse. If he wasn't ready or prepared to fight, he shouldn't have taken it.  Obviously the money was a huge incentive for Silva, of which Cormier already lost half his guaranteed purse by Jones popping.  Cormier had nothing to gain in a victory - people will and are complaining about Silva's lack of preparation, the weight difference, Silva's age, etc.   Cormier had everything to lose in a loss.  Including even more of the money that he was basically already screwed out of.  He fought to win the fight, and he did.  You don't like how he did it, that's fine - a lot of people don't.  But it's not embarrassing and he shouldn't be ashamed of it.  If Silva is the badass of all badasses like so many claim, you win that fight any way you can.   And even not being a fan of Silva, you're very quick to ignore his ground defense.  Cormier was grinding him out, with the blades of his arms constantly on his throat, his center mass on his bread basket, and was manipulating his nose/mouth with his hands at pretty much all times.  He didn't rain elbows and punches because Silva's not a scrub off his back and wouldn't allow it.  What he did do was control his opponent; inflict incremental wear and tear on him over three rounds, and more importantly completely dictated the pace of the fight.  I think one judge even scored a 10-8 round in Daniels favor.  Silva should've been better prepared or not taken the fight - simple as that.  And if he is the GOAT, there's no shame in beating him I whatever way possible, especially since (like the excuse with Silva) Cormier didn't have proper time to prepare for him.  

[Stranger]

Stop using a valid reason while you continue to move the goalpost for Cormier's poor performance? 

Merc,  I have a lot of respect for you,  but it's becoming quite obvious that you're a Cormier fanatic unwilling to admit that he could have done better. 

This debate has brought out the irrational fandom in you. 

Good day, sir. 

[CaliTitan3518]

I fully expected Cormier to fight like that. No point in him coming out blazing when he had a major advantage in the ground game. Factor in the weight advantage (Cormier has to cut 30-40 lbs) and he can just lay on him to pull out the W. I don't have an issue with it. 

[Mercalius]

1 hour ago, Stranger said:

Stop using a valid reason while you continue to move the goalpost for Cormier's poor performance? 

Merc,  I have a lot of respect for you,  but it's becoming quite obvious that you're a Cormier fanatic unwilling to admit that he could have done better. 

This debate has brought out the irrational fandom in you. 

Good day, sir. 

I'm actually quite indifferent on Cormier.  I think he's a good fighter but I wouldn't even say I'm a fan of the guy.   I think you're just clouded by your fandom of Silva.  I don't like Silva, so I'm quick to take the counter argument against him when I feel it's warranted.  

[Stranger]

1 hour ago, Mercalius said:

I'm actually quite indifferent on Cormier.  I think he's a good fighter but I wouldn't even say I'm a fan of the guy.   I think you're just clouded by your fandom of Silva.  I don't like Silva, so I'm quick to take the counter argument against him when I feel it's warranted.  

Oh, so you're letting your hatred for Silva cloud your judgment then, eh?

I'm anything but a Silva fan. I thoroughly enjoyed watching him get knocked out by Weidman. However, I can still admit that he is perhaps the most electrifying fighter in the sports short history, especially when he's not goofing off. 

I all but despise Jon Jones personality, but I recognize that he might possibly be the most dominate fighter in MMA history. If he could only get his head out of his ass long enough to realize his full potential. 

As far as Cormier is concerned, outside of Jones, he has no real threat other than maybe Gus. Problem is, I don't think Cormier will ever be able to beat Jones. Jones is bigger, stronger and better in every way compared to Cormier. And in order to be considered more than just the LHW paper champion, he'll have to beat Jones, and at this point who knows if or when that will ever happen.