i will say rewatching the last fight, and i didnt quite notice the extent of it while watching live in the heat of the moment, and especially given the final result. Dustin is a great boxer (mma standards in effect). he was at a clear disadvantage in that area vs Conor. it was actually pretty eye opening.

You get old, drugged and liquored up, your body doesnt have the same delivery system anymore. So you might have the same power, but you dont possess the punch or timing to land what you need to in order to spark the guy you're facing.

but thats the thing, his striking was indeed on that level, early on. but Dustin took away Conors elite striking by taking away his leg. So now its just a matter of Conor adjusting to that by better defending those leg kicks that ruined him. but will he do that by simply checking those kicks?? or perhaps is the best defense a great offense?? Dustin is just as heavy on that front leg.

It was too much for Conor then, it'll be too much for him now. Aint no adjustments to make. Conor simply lacks the physical gift at this end stage of his career to execute it. To me, it's more about the fact that Conor can't bring our his best anymore. That's been the pattern for the entirety of this stage of his career. he didnt need his best against a shot Cowboy, who was never elite anyway. The money, the drugs, the booze, the women, all of that, has create mental blocks in his own mind that prevent him from doing the necessary work to get himself to a point where he can beat an elite fighter. Porier gonna beat his ass inside 2 rounds.

now, speaking of being heavy on the front leg, thats something Conor hasnt really been known for until his last 3 fights. people speculate he's pretty much just relied on his boxing and power ever since he fought Floyd. idk if its a strategic match up thing or if he just hasnt really broken those boxing habits or whatever. but as Wonderboy Thompson eluded to, im curious to see if Conor goes back to that karate stance, bouncing in and out side to side, more well rounded striking that includes alot of kicks type of game plan that he was known for. and if he does, will it be business as usual, or will it be unnatural for him now.

This entire card is really strong. To have a co-main of Wonderboy vs Burns and on the free undercard you even have Flippy Perreira vs Niko Price...it is just unheard of to have that kind of depth on a Conor card. I might actually buy it.

I can't see Conor doing anything different to get a different result.

Conor has been far more active in the trash talk/ bantering this time around, but idk, it just isnt vintage Conor. seems like he's just searching for "it."

Then you know whats next...

Is the Mayweather thing the best/wrost thing that happened to him?

Made him tons of $$$, cross over appeal, etc. But, did it take the dog out of him?