🥊 Baki vs Zébo: Did Doumbè Create a Monster? (MMA)

The broadcast commences with an introduction to a particularly rich episode of the combat sports program, available weekly on platforms like Winamax TV. The central focus immediately shifts to the exceptional upset delivered by Jordan Zébo at the Ares event in Strasbourg. This victory sent a significant message of hope across the fighting world, leading the host to assert definitively that the current iteration of Jordan Zébo surpasses his previous form. The panel assembled for the debrief includes Anes Culture MMA, Julien Casier, Daniel V, and Big John, ready to dissect the weekend's major events.

The team expressed great satisfaction with the recent live event held in Toulouse, praising the city's atmosphere and the organization of the gathering. Appreciation was extended to all members of the audience who traveled to attend, as well as those engaging in the online chat for supporting the new broadcast schedule. Daniel V specifically enjoyed his first visit to Toulouse, noting the excellent organization and the pleasant interactions with the local community.

The main event at Ares in Strasbourg proved to be the most balanced contest of the night, delivering significant suspense over four rounds. Initially, Baki rushed his opponent, landing heavy body shots, which Zébo managed to absorb, though visibly feeling the impact. Anes noted that the first two rounds appeared one-sided, favoring Baki who secured takedowns, but failed to maintain control or inflict fight-ending damage on the ground. This initial aggressive strategy by Baki appeared to be a miscalculation given the fight's duration.

Attention, on sait du MMA, un coup, peut arriver et tout peut se passer.

A distinct turning point occurred in the third round, suggesting Zébo received critical advice from his corner. The focus shifted entirely to relentlessly kicking Baki's lead leg, which visibly hampered Baki's movement and prevented him from utilizing his signature in-and-out footwork reminiscent of Tyson. Daniel confirmed that Zébo’s front leg kicks, delivered without significant setup or wind-up, were highly effective, forcing Baki onto the defensive and draining his energy reserves significantly by the fourth round.

Zébo concluded the fight brilliantly in the fourth round with a sequence involving a high kick, hooks, work against the cage, and the final decisive blow often referred to as the 'Thor's hammer.' Zébo later stated his motivation was to demonstrate his mental solidity, confirming work on small victories on the ground and managing distance. The consensus among the panel was that Zébo’s resilience through the first two rounds, where he was severely outmatched, coupled with his execution in the final two, constituted a masterclass performance.

The discussion pivots to the narrative that Jordan Zébo's development was significantly catalyzed by his prior encounter with Cédric Doumbè. Zébo demonstrated an exceptional ability to rebound from adversity, proving his mental fortitude against Baki, a fighter widely considered a mythic figure in French MMA. This fight stripped Baki of his aura, as Zébo proved impervious to the pressure that seemed to crush his opponent.

It is posited that Zébo's childhood experiences, including past harassment, created an unbreakable mental state, allowing him to remain calm while Baki, the perceived favorite, faltered under expectation. The media's excessive praise for Baki over the last few years is seen as a factor that softened him, leading to overconfidence, whereas Zébo was hardened by constant scrutiny and criticism following his loss to Doumbè.

Jordan Zebo lui a pris toute sa mystique. Jordan Zebo a pris l'ura de Baki.

Furthermore, Zébo reportedly changed his training team, incorporating work with Anthony for ground skills, which was evident in his improved defense on the mat. The panel noted Baki's physical limitations; his large musculature caused him to gas out quickly when unable to secure a swift finish. This defeat highlights a recurring theme: fighters who are constantly praised outside the cage often lower their guard, a situation Baki reportedly found himself in.

For Jordan Zébo, the immediate future involves defending his Ares championship, as he expressed strong loyalty to the organization. Three primary scenarios are discussed: an immediate rematch with Baki, which keeps Zébo inactive during Baki's recovery; actively defending the belt against other Ares contenders like Mathieu Chaumon (who is now free from Hexagone contract); or potentially returning to the PFL to settle his previous 0-1 record there.

For Baki, the priority must be securing an immediate rematch upon full recovery from his ACL tear, which requires approximately ten months of rehabilitation. A victory in that rematch is essential to mitigate the narrative that his loss was solely due to injury or external pressures. However, building a career solely on rematches may prove counterproductive in the long term, especially if he aims for higher-level organizations like the UFC.

The conversation shifts to the welterweight division following Brendan Allen's victory over Kevin Caceres (RDR), who reportedly quit on his stool. Despite Nassourdine Imavov's clear sporting merit as the number one contender, the UFC seems intent on creating roadblocks. The panel discussed the possibility of Khamzat Chimaev moving up to challenge Dricus du Plessis (DDP), potentially leaving the title vacant or leading to an interim fight.

It is asserted that UFC matchmaking frequently ignores rankings, citing past examples where fighters like Jacaré Souza and Gegard Mousasi were denied favorable title shots. The panel believes the UFC is actively trying to avoid a friendly fight between Imavov and Chimaev, preferring a high-stakes, high-drama matchup like Pereira vs. Chimaev. A more logical path involves Imavov challenging DDP for the vacant belt, or DDP facing Chimaev, allowing Imavov a title shot against the winner.

Manon Fiorot's performance against Jasu Davisus, who entered ranked fifth and on a five-fight win streak, was hailed as an exceptional masterclass, ending in just 78 seconds. This dominant showing validated her recent decision to change training camps and adopt a more aggressive, risk-taking offensive approach, which had been lacking in previous, more measured performances.

Le résultat valide la méthode.

While the finish was spectacular, some panelists cautioned against immediate hyperbole, noting that Davisus had documented defensive liabilities, particularly against top-five opponents. However, the consensus remains that Fiorot has firmly re-established herself as an elite contender, likely positioning herself for a rematch with champion Natalia Silva, pending the outcome of other divisional bouts involving Erin Blanchfield and Macy Barber.

The final segment addresses the takeaways from UFC Vancouver, focusing heavily on the disastrous officiating standards witnessed throughout the event, mirroring issues seen the prior week in Rio. The inability to penalize referees whose errors significantly impact fighters' careers, such as stopping fights too early or making questionable decisions, is deemed unacceptable by the coaching staff members present.

Specific issues included the refereeing in the Kevin Holland bout, where Holland remained down for several minutes in visible pain yet was pressured to continue, possibly due to contractual clauses affecting fight bonuses. Furthermore, the performance of Eman Zabi, who relies heavily on split decisions, was criticized for lacking definitive finishes, although his coaching connection to Firaz at Tristar Gym is acknowledged as a positive influence.