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I wanted to make another thread appreciating Nicolas Dalby, for the pace + pressure + effort he put forth in murdering Gabriel Bonfim in the penultimate fight last night.
Instead of complying with the script, Dalby put on one of the most determined, intense, and purposeful efforts to win that I've seen in a long time.
It almost reminded me of Hagler x Hearns (back in April, 1995) where I've seen someone just walk through another man's punches, incessantly, fearlessly, over-and-over again, never leaving the pocket.
The only time Dalby wasn't in the pocket, was when Bonfim backed away from him, or tried to take Dalby down, in an effort to avoid the pressure.
Even when down, the moment Dalby was able to get up, he was going right back into that pocket, throwing down, and never stoppped throwing down (including elbows, knees, everything).
By the end of the second round, Dalby had broken Gabriel Bonfim's spirit and will, punctuating it with a succession of knees to the head, and then finishing off his foe after he fell.
The only thing anticlimactic was the sore-losing Brazilian crowd, who were turned into speechlessness.
They didn't even "boo" Dalby; no one could "boo" a performance like that.
Rather than be salty, Dalby thanked the Brazilian crowd for being so loyal to their hometown guy, appreciating their dedication to their fighter, rather than crying about himself.
Too much is being talked about Almeida / Lewis, and not enough is being talked about Nicolas Dalby.
What an absolutely tremendous and sustained effort that man put out. I've re-watched the fight 3x now.
Even Bisping and Cruz started taking note of how game and determined Dalby was, it was a special performance.
- BONFIM: Age: 26, 15-0, 100% finish rate, -625 favorite
- DALBY: Age: 38, 23-4-1, never been finished, +455 underdog
Instead of complying with the script, Dalby put on one of the most determined, intense, and purposeful efforts to win that I've seen in a long time.
It almost reminded me of Hagler x Hearns (back in April, 1995) where I've seen someone just walk through another man's punches, incessantly, fearlessly, over-and-over again, never leaving the pocket.
The only time Dalby wasn't in the pocket, was when Bonfim backed away from him, or tried to take Dalby down, in an effort to avoid the pressure.
Even when down, the moment Dalby was able to get up, he was going right back into that pocket, throwing down, and never stoppped throwing down (including elbows, knees, everything).
By the end of the second round, Dalby had broken Gabriel Bonfim's spirit and will, punctuating it with a succession of knees to the head, and then finishing off his foe after he fell.
The only thing anticlimactic was the sore-losing Brazilian crowd, who were turned into speechlessness.
They didn't even "boo" Dalby; no one could "boo" a performance like that.
Rather than be salty, Dalby thanked the Brazilian crowd for being so loyal to their hometown guy, appreciating their dedication to their fighter, rather than crying about himself.
Too much is being talked about Almeida / Lewis, and not enough is being talked about Nicolas Dalby.
What an absolutely tremendous and sustained effort that man put out. I've re-watched the fight 3x now.
Even Bisping and Cruz started taking note of how game and determined Dalby was, it was a special performance.
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