HarthorneWingo wrote:Are calf kicks becoming to dangerous and unstoppable in the UFC? I’ve seen so many recent fights where calf kicks in the opening minute of the first round determine the result of the fight. It’s almost becoming a calf-kicking tournament.
I remember asking a Muay Thai instructor a while back why calf kicks were taking over MMA, and he rolled his eyes. He basically said to just slide the lead leg back, and you're golden. He made it sound easy, so I was confused about fighters having so many issues with it. But I think that's more a result of MMA strikers who haven't trained against the kicks enough. A boxer hasn't, wrestlers and BJJ guys definitely haven't, and you won't see it work as well against a Muay Thai practitioner (I think that's why they're not as big in OneFC MMA matches).
So the real answer to me is "No, they're not too dangerous or unstoppable. Fighters just need to train to address them." Here's Justin Gaethje talking about how to counter calf kicks, and he's echoing a response I've heard from a few strikers at this point...slide the out and/or hurt make it painful for them to land.
Too many MMA fighters learned to play catch-and-pitch with traditional leg kicks (take the kick, then fire back real quick with something heavy of your own). That doesn't work on calf kicks.
Guano wrote:
Who you got in the Poirier vs Saint-Denis fight?
I kinda love/hate that Poirier took this fight. On one hand it shows what a true fighter he is on the other it does nothing for him. He is taking on a relative no name fighter who is a killer. More old heads should do this but damn if I want to see Poirier lose this one which I think might happen
I've placed modest bets on Poirier and Burns both. I have the top three fights on this main card as toss-ups. But that means when the odds are as wide as they've gotten for those fights, I'm willing to risk some money on the dogs. I lean toward Poirier with Saint-Denis, because Diamond is EXCELLENT at countering power strikers. So, I think his odds improve the longer the fight goes.
For the top three I go...
Lean-O'Malley over Chito. But I won't risk money.
Lean-Poirier over Saint-Denis.
Lean-JDM over Burns...but it's so close for me, that I'm willing to risk money on Burns.
I don't think the leg kicks will win for Chito again. But O'Malley might not be able to keep up his volume across 25 minutes, which gives Vera a decent shot at the upset if he actually throws enough strikes.
I really believe Saint-Denis has to catch something nasty early or Poirier will get his reads and take the fight. That's not impossible for Saint-Denis.
JDM's gotta keep the fight standing and just stay sharp with straight punches. But I've seen lesser guys take JDM down, and Burns is too good on the ground. So if Burns gets the takedowns, he'll win the rounds and maybe even find a submission.
This card is GREAT because so many fights are toss-ups. But it's bad for me as a gambler. The few sure-things on this card are massive favorites, so they're not worth betting on.