MMA News Forums » MMA Forums » General MMA Forum » MMA 'Dream' Matches

[MickeyKnox]

I'm sure a poll of this has been done before but for some reason everytime I try to search for a thread, it brings me to an error page, so I apoligize for not being able to find it if it has been posted.

I was thinking about this match up while making a post earlier and was wondering what anyone's thoughts on it were.

I, personally, would love to see this fight and hope it happens in the future.

Both guys are threatening on the feet and contain KO power. While Alves is the better overall striker, Diaz's boxing and reach has proven to become very effective. Both have solid chins. I would definitely give the edge to Nick on the ground but Alves has some pretty good TDD against guys who aren't top knotch grinders, as does Diaz.

It's a tough fight to call, IMO. Who do you pick and why?

[Kimbo> Rampage]

Nick for sure.

Iv been saying this for a while, Thiago is overrated. Especially with his striking. He has good leg kicks but his boxing is very bad at times. He will occasionally throw a good knee as well but his hands would get exposed against Diaz.

[IceCold48]

seriously dayne? diaz might be the best striker in the division and has a solid ground game while alves is solely a striker that isnt even in the top tier of welterweights anymore...diaz wrecks him.

[MickeyKnox]

I don't view this as a 'dream match' or anything, just an interesting fight. There's no doubt that Diaz has very effective boxing skills and would have the edge in BJJ but they both have the same general weakness. I agree Thiago Alves has been a bit overrated in the past but he's not to be considered a B level fighter by any means or "not in the top tier anymore." He could be right back in the top ten with one or two wins, just as some of those guys could fall out.

Thiago Alves has very good Muay Thai and his only losses in the UFC come from GSP, Fitch, Rick Story, and Spencer Fisher, while holding some wins over a few vets and top guys. It was Alves who really cemented the end of the Matt Hughes after the final loss to GSP. The only time he's officially been TKO'd was when he took that upkick from Fitch. Granted, Diaz has fought better strikers and beat them, it's not far fetched to think this fight would be competetive.

I never said I thought Alves would destroy Diaz or that Diaz couldn't dominate Alves.

[end it with a left]

I would love to watch this fight and I picked Diaz to win but I could easily see Alves deciding to wrestle with Diaz and grind him for 15 min because lets face it, Alves does have the upper hand in wrestling and I'm not sure that Diaz could sneak a sub in there. If Alves didn't decide to become a grinder for that fight Diaz would take him.

[LefthookStcrook]

SICK fight. Huge fan of both fighters.

I initially picked Diaz, Alves didnt look so good last time out, and I believe that if Nick had that many chances he would have got the sub. BUT Nicks Tds are no where near Storys.(imo)

And now that Ive had time to think about it im going to go back and change it to Alves. Alves is easily the better overall striker. And Diaz easily holds the JJ edge. Its the in between thats interesting.

I think the fight would stay on the feet personally because Alves TDD> Nicks TDs imo.

I could see Diaz peppering Alves to the body and dropping him. And I could see Alves hitting Diaz with a big Punch/Knee. But both wouldnt go completley out. That equals a hella-exciting fight if you ask me.

I think reach and cardio would play a factor, I dont know exact numbers but I know Diaz has a longer reach then Alves lol. And Diaz obviously has the cardio edge.

Shit maybe Im back to Diaz lol. One things for sure, it'd be closer then what people here are thinking. In my respectful opinion.

Originally Posted by end it with a left

I would love to watch this fight and I picked Diaz to win but I could easily see Alves deciding to wrestle with Diaz and grind him for 15 min because lets face it, Alves does have the upper hand in wrestling and I'm not sure that Diaz could sneak a sub in there. If Alves didn't decide to become a grinder for that fight Diaz would take him.

I think this would be the worst case gameplan for Alves myself.

Alves does have underrated JJ defense, but Nicks JJ offense is just too slick imo.

[Kimbo> Rampage]

Originally Posted by DayneFS

Thiago Alves has very good Muay Thai.

That is where I have to disagree. its like somebody saying that _____ has good boxing because he has a good straight right or left hook. Alves has good leg kicks and an occasional knee but his muay thai as a whole is highly overrated. Imaging what Daley would have done to story if he had stood with him. Imo that is the more exciting match up, but ends with thiago getting ktfo.

[LefthookStcrook]

Originally Posted by rampage9712

That is where I have to disagree. its like somebody saying that _____ has good boxing because he has a good straight right or left hook. Alves has good leg kicks and an occasional knee but his muay thai as a whole is highly overrated. Imaging what Daley would have done to story if he had stood with him. Imo that is the more exciting match up, but ends with thiago getting ktfo.

Respecfully disagree, Alves does have good MT imo. He has 18 wins, 11 by (T)KO and 4 of those are via some type of knee. And hes fought way more top fighters then Daley ever will. Daley has more KO's then Alves, but he obviously has way more fights against cans as well.

Saying Daley would KTFO out of Alves is your personal opinion, and Id have to disagree with you on it. Daley does has vicious boxing, but while hes Ko'ing Yuya Shirai, Scott Smith, Dustin Hazelett and Martin Kampmann.

Alves was fighting for the UFC title after "Ko'ing" Lytle, Karo, Hughes and beating Koscheck.

So Alves has easily had the tougher road. And Alves is easily the more well rounded striker(by miles) imo. I dont know about you but I'll take the MT guy who uses everything in his arsenal, compared to a one-trick-pony power puncher.

But Im not a big fan of Daley lol, maybe its clouding my judgement. Shit I think AJ would wreck Daley, And AJ/Alves would be a war, with me giving Alves the slight edge based soley on his well roundedness.

And both Alves and AJ could probabley grind Daley out too if they wanted to. (imo)

[Kimbo> Rampage]

I never said Daley would beat Alves. But that he is the far better striker and would clearly beat him if Alves stood with him.

[LefthookStcrook]

Originally Posted by rampage9712

I never said Daley would beat Alves. But that he is the far better striker and would clearly beat him if Alves stood with him.

Caree to discuss why you think that? Again no disrespect, but I'll almost always take the more well rounded fighter. And theres no quesion who that is.

Even when talking about just striking, Alves has Daley outrounded by miles, I think thats a no brainer.

Daley has two things going for him imo, punches and power. Hes shown time and time again that he can KO people, but only with his hands.

Alves has shown us KOs ranging from Punches, Kicks and Knees.

They both have power, but one uses far more tools then the other to achieve the KO, I'll pick that guy everytime. And thats not even mentioning the Cardio/Wrestling and JJ edge Alves would most likley hold. Bad matchup for Daley imo.

Again though, i'll admit Im not a big fan of Daley, but the only people I see him beating are fighters with zero wrestling, weak striking and suspect chins.

Maybe I just put too much emphasis on being more well rounded , or maybe I just hate Daley that much lol

Anyways no disrespect, serious question.