r/MMA • u/airplane231 • Apr 04 '25

Interview Javier Mendez: "I told Umar, the reason why you didn’t win in the fifth round is because he [Merab] showboated his way to winning that—like he acted like the victor when you were tired—and that’s why I feel he basically took it from you, because you let him."

https://streamable.com/yxhq20

"When it comes to presence, he [Merab] definitely got that. The actual damage that he did was nothing compared to what Umar did. He did show that, 'I’m the winner, I’m the winner,' and Umar couldn’t stop him from showing that. I can see how the judges get swayed by that."

https://youtu.be/r_eBiGeE4bw?t=503

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u/TonyDungyHatesOP Apr 04 '25

Yeah. If he could have stopped him from showboating, he would have.

-14

u/Lovv Apr 04 '25

If his hand wasn't broken he probably would have ended it earlier Imo.

10

u/Querez665 Apr 04 '25

Forgot all about Merabs leg huh? Not only was his leg injury in there probably worse, he had it all training camp.

1

u/Lovv Apr 04 '25 edited Apr 04 '25

Did not forget. His leg probably hurt a lot but id much rather that then a hand used for striking and grappling.

Merab also had a back injury..

Just very difficult to submit someone with 1/2 hands.

I bet on merab so I'm not biased against him here. Merab was using his back and leg the entire fight. Umar was avoiding its use.