adyton punk

UFC 264

Holy shit. How do I not kick off this week's piece with some notes on the trilogy? Conor is back to being an actual mad man leading up to this fight. He's sending Dustin voicemails, showing Instagram messages with Dustin's wife, he's talking that shit again. He's kicking at Dustin in the presser, he's calling reporter's sissys, he's calling everybody in the division rats. I secretly love it because I think it means he's back to hyping himself up like he used to. A fighter sometimes needs that. A dark aura is needed in fighting. It's needed in life. I really can't even help myself from only thinking about this fight. According to Dana, the record for pre-fight buys was already beat. It's honestly a curious study on human nature as to why Conor McGregor attracts so much attention. Yes, he's a champ champ, but what he's done for the sport of MMA in terms of visibility is on the levels of Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Pele. I want Conor to win, badly. So badly that I'm going with Conor. Fuck it he's back to being Mystic Mac. I had to start with that but there's so much more to talk about on this card. Wonderboy Thompson and Gilbert Burns square off to see who will fight Usman after he and Colby finally figure out their rematch. Sadly, and despite how much I love Wonderboy, I think this could get ugly for my guy. I think that people forget that Gilbert stunned Usman and almost finished him before he himself was put to sleep. Gilbert is a bad man and a world-class Brazilian jiu-jiteiro. I'd really go crazy if Wonderboy just caught him with a kick, but I just doubt it. Next is one of those matrix bending fights and not in a good way. Somehow, Greg Hardy has climbed the ranks in the UFC and made it onto a main card. Fuck that. If you don't know, Greg Hardy is a piece of shit who hits women even though he weighs almost 300 pounds naturally. Anyways, the good news is that he's fighting a bad, bad man in Tai Tuivasa. I think that Hardy gets his chin cleaned off by the second round. Lastly, Suga Sean O'Malley is back in action and it's against an unranked, newly signed opponent. I've done a little bit of research on Kris Moutinho and I think he could be more of a challenge than people predict. Suga still beats him but it will be more of a show than people think.

EUROS 2020

I wanted Denmark in the final so bad. I kept shouting, "team of destiny! team of destiny!" It wasn't meant to be. I said it all tournament long, this Spain team doesn't convince me. The number one reason they didn't convince -- Morata. I can see it in these player's faces, especially in soccer. He's not that guy. I think he has a lot of quality and is definitely a European power 5 caliber striker, but he shouldn't be starting on the Spanish national team. On the other hand, please visit my post from 6/11 where I predicted Italy as a dark horse to take it all. I stand by that. In fact, I think they rout the English. It's not coming home. I have bad vibes all around Raheem Sterling. His track record in big games is appalling. Horrendous misses on clear opportunities. I just don't trust it and I think just like Morata it could be what does England in morally. Also, that was a dive that he took against Denmark and Karma is a bitch. This Italian team is also just too tricky to play. They lull you in by letting you walk the ball up the pitch much, much easier than in years past. Then, they snap off the ball in their own third like true, rabid Italian dogs and counter with deadly accuracy. The three upfront do everything right. Immobile is an insatiable number nine. Insigne will curl one in from anywhere. Chiesa does everything with speed and intent. I can't get enough of this Italy team. I really hope Mancini starts Chiesa and doesn't revert back to Berardi, although I don't actually think he will. I think it's going to be a sweet, sweet night for an Italian squad that suffered heartbreak in 2018 by not qualifying for the World Cup. 

2021 NBA FINALS

Is Giannis the problem? Is Book too much? Is it CP3's time to win one? Fuck I can't stand my luck sometimes. The Bucks continue to put me through some sort of emotional hell. But no, I won't succumb to the defeatist thoughts. We continue to fear the deer. We continue to believe. I can't deny, this Suns team is hard to break down. Not only are they incredibly efficient on offense, but they also play hard-nosed basketball. I have to respect it. Should be a really fun rest of the series as long as the Bucks get their rhythm again. Bucks in 7. 

COPA AMERICA 2021 

You really can't talk about heartbreak without talking about Colombia. At this point, the pain is more of a formality. We go through the same procession. We get excited, the better team on paper scores early, we go back to feeling awful, we score an amazing goal, we believe once again that, "yes, Colombia really does indeed have the most attractive, creative attacking soccer," then, we lose in penalty kicks while the other team's keeper talks shit to our face. Brutal. Big L. I saw it coming but whatever. I think Brazil is the best team in the world, but something tells me that the universe owes Messi a tournament. It's only given him like 30 chances in 10 years. It's about time he wins one. It'll probably be in penalty kicks because there's no way Brazil loses in regular time. It could also just be a cakewalk for Brazil. That team just seems to dictate everything that's going on in the game. It's like they give their opponents the illusion of control. Similar to Italy but more deadly on set plays which I find captivating being that it's a Brazilian team. I'm really shitting my pants just waiting for all of this to go down. What a weekend we have on our hands. Find me light-headed out on the strip Saturday. 

NOTE

It's been one of those weeks in sports where I was once again reminded of the hundreds of contingencies that dictate whether a team advances to the next round or a fighter gets his hand raised in victory. Momentum shifts, veteran experience, injuries, substitutions, ejections, home crowds, etc. That's just a handful of factors from the endless list of sporting circumstances that are always working in balanced harmony. Oftentimes, we can see most of the factors being played out in real-time. We see tactical changes from coaches or new bits of technique from the competitors. Nonetheless, there is no denying the intangible factors that sometimes determine athletic competitions. Last week had three great examples of this: Tanner Boser desperately and successfully fighting for his career in the UFC by stopping OSP, Switzerland making a historic comeback in 15 minutes against tournament favorite's France, and Sweden's red card which led to the invigoration of the Ukrainian side in OT. All three of these sporting events went nothing like I predicted they would. There were some absolutely insane underdog stories that found hope and victory through intangible factors that are still hard to pinpoint. It's that feeling of being humbled and being impressed by underdog stories that keep us all coming back to the games. People like to pick apart sports as simply another form of escapism. We've all met those people. What they don't see or haven't opened themselves up to, is the fact that sports will forever be one of the most honest interpretations of the human experience. There's winning, there's losing, there's happiness, there's heartbreak, and, at the end of the day, we have zero fucking idea why it all unfolded the way it did.

EUROS 2020

I was so wrong but, then again, who wasn't. As soon as I added Germany and Portugal to my final four, they both crashed out in games where they should've won. Also, I just didn't pay attention to how the brackets were broken up and my final four weren't even feasible, so whatever. I still believe that Spain's victory over Croatia is a mirage. England looks sharper up top and that could make things very interesting. Without De Bruyne and Hazard, I don't see Belgium being as dangerous as before. What I'm saying here is that this tournament is way beyond me at this point. It's wide open for anybody to take (although Italy is a wagon right now). My new final four is: Spain, England, Denmark, Italy. 

NBA PLAYOFFS

I don't even want to really write about my Bucks anymore. I'm not sure if I'm giving them good luck or bad luck at this point. I predicted it would be a seven-game series because Trae Young is truly a monster. Then, he gets hurt and it looks like the Bucks will cruise to the finals. Then, Giannis's knee gets hyperextended and everything looks open again. We will see who is healthy to play for game six but I really don't know what to expect anymore from this series. Just hope those deer finally make that last step. On the other hand, the Suns and Clippers series went exactly as I expected. It's great to see CP3 and Booker with their tickets punched to the finals. 

COPA AMERICA 2021

The quarter-finals are finally here for this competition and, despite being as underwhelming as ever, Colombia still has a shot to win it all. We play against Uruguay and I'm strangely feeling confident. Their defense isn't as solid as in years past and I have only seen one game out of Suarez and Cavani that truly impressed me. Also, I just love the heartbreak that comes with getting my hopes up for the national team. Brazil vs. Chile will be a really exciting game. Chileans come out to kill whenever they play in these knockout games for La Rojita and Brazilians are known to crack under that sort of intensity. I still think Brazil goes through because of their experience in the back and great set plays, but still, don't count out an upset from the reigning champs. Peru vs. Paraguay will most likely be the best game of the competition so far. Both squads are starting to showcase their new crops of talent and there are some really exciting players on both sides. It will be a classic South American match with hard tackles and impressive individual plays. Argentina should roll over Ecuador although that all depends on which version of the little genius comes to play. 

COPA AMERICA 2021

Heartbreak is all we know as Colombian's to the point that this last wound against Brazil is more of a silly reminder of the bottomless pit we come from. The sporting debacle that was the last twenty minutes of that game is hard to even put into words. After the Brazilian's equalized, Yerry Mina proceeded to have a therapy session with the referee. I guess he was trying to convince him that it wasn't a goal but really all it did was give the Carioca team more time to assemble their comeback. Always trying to bend the rules those Colombian's, even if it means putting a dead halt to a global sporting event. Argentina continues to depend too much on the little genius and I wonder if he's starting to get angry about always having to celebrate his birthday with a dysfunctional squad. An angry Messi is maybe exactly what the world needs. Paraguay is the big revelation of the tournament with a lot of exciting young players. Uruguay is starting to figure things out in the final third. There are still some group stage games to be played but this competition is going to be Brazil's with ease. They've shown everything that you want to see in a defending champion. Hunger, good defense, a consistent core of players. Brazil cruises. 

EUROS 2020

Speaking of predictable, this tournament got absolutely insane this last week. The Poland rally that came up short, Spain's newfound firepower, Portugal's tenacity to stay in the tournament, and the emergence of Holland as a real contender. All of it is was really exciting and surprising. First, I really didn't think Portugal would look as offensively sharp as they have the last few games. Despite getting thumped by Germany, they were incessant on offense. Guerreiro and Semedo are always looking to hurt on the outside. Renato Sanches is playing like his old self which - at one point - was one of the most exciting prospects in Europe. Then, you can't forget about the greatest goalscorer of all time -- Mr. Champions, The Dark Invader, CR7 himself. He keeps scoring goals and shutting mouths. Absolutely insatiable. I think Spain's attack is a mirage. The 5 goal thriller doesn't impress me and I continue to have this fever dream of Morata missing a sitter and then reading the Spanish press poop themselves. I'm making a $25 parlay that will surely hit for this weekend's round of 16. Here are my picks to win: Denmark, Italy, Netherlands (Czech team could surprise), Portugal, Croatia, France, Germany, Sweden. A lot of favorites but I should make some money if it hits. What's really hitting is the dopamine rush right now thinking about it. 

UFC FIGHT NIGHT: VOLKOV vs. GANE

The UFC welcomes us back to action after a two-week break with a nice little card headlining two sets of heavy-hitters. OSP looks a lot better fighting at heavyweight. I think that this fight is going to show many people just how real of a contender he is for the belt. In fact, I think he will make a bigger statement than either of the heavyweights in the main event. I think Volkov and Gane could be a very technical fight where both men don't know how to hurt each other and most of the action ends up in the clinch. I don't know, I think that sounds professional enough. These guys are just monstrous. Seriously, google both of them, especially Volkov. Imagining Volkov clean boxing me on the street gives me a certain kind of existential dread. Anyways, I think OSP stops Boser early and Gane wins by decision. 

2021 NBA PLAYOFFS

Playoff P is so real. The Clips are making things interesting by reminding Book and CP3 know that they have a Pat Bev. So obnoxious, so loud, but truly a dog on defense. I still think the Suns punch their ticket to the finals but this has all reminded me of how fun basketball can be. Gotta love summer b-ball. Folks, my Bucks are in trouble. My Bucks are in trouble, again. They're hurt. They're in deep water. Inconsistency on defense and the stellar play of Trae Young have been a lot for Giannis's team. It's Giannis's team at the end of the day and that's why we wear the number. That's why we fear the dear despite the strong play of the Hawks. I think he steps up again. I just can't help but buy in even as the Trae Young hype train rolls. I might make a bet. I'm going to Cancun with my bookie later this year. Maybe I'm starting to develop a problem here. Bucks in 7. 

If it stops swimming it dies. A self-love overload secured after all. Rooted culture of magical realism couldn't melt off the wings. Even if the baby bib caught all of the cynicism, it was never too much for the stomach. How many times have others been daunted by that automation? I bet it made them kiss harder. Feel their naive hands be washed up. Fix your bones, take the prize, rent is due. Roll the boulder, up the hill, married to it. Innate nature makes your county line bounce back. It was written on the auditorium walls behind the punch drunk bowl. This one will be a doozy because it's during a scheduled bender. You already realized that since the last episode at the Marina. Maria is coming while Emma questions if Jude is real. Fuck you because you sent that first. Fuck you because you don't know what I read now. Fuck you, we can fuck in the pool since you like the main attraction. Lonely but just dropped in on your mom's place. Resisting from making everything beautiful. Always leaning hard so go watch it blur out. Holed up on Western Ave until they play punk rock. Shooting in the building. Staying fresh as an iceberg. Getting freaky with the pressure. She strips the skin off the back. Knows it won't leave me hobbled like that man during Christmas. Blame it on the spinal since we don't talk about silver spoons. That's the only direct one I'll send because you ducked me, you coward. I'll pass out in Flatbush soon because I take damage like a zombie. The Bai Ze hit a powertrip with extended cut scenes. Hide keys in my eyelids for like $55 an hour. East coast beast coast, so bet big after the river. Cash in like a phoenix that flew right through your windshield. I'm a forgiver, but I guess that's still overwhelming. No need to cut off the mic, the intern didn't write any thank you's. For this feeling of delivering the mail, no celebration in order. Just ask me what you've done for me recently, that's the new romantic. We didn't even ask for this. The hometown feels more hollow than sleepy. Stem out the antidote steered out from my intestines. From the Big Apple, the parasite grows. You don't know what that means. You don't know what I read. 

EUROS 2020

Everything is going pretty predictably in this tournament. I do think we should stop talking about Germany and their struggles before they wake up a sleeping giant. Best to not underestimate anyone. Make Germany one of my new semi-finalists along with Italy, France, and England. Talk to you when something crazy happens in this tournament. Hopefully, it involves Northern Macedonia. 

NBA PLAYOFFS

The bucks are really doing it and making this a seven-game series. Insane. Down 2-1 I gave them the AP love and the rest is history. Giannis with a historic game six reminded all of us why we’ve been fearing the deer since 13’. It’s about that time in the year when we all start tuning into basketball a little more closely, so this is all working out nice. Bucks in 7. 

UFC FIGHT NIGHT: JUNG VS. IGE

The main event is going to be a lot of fun - of course - featuring fan-favorite Korean Zombie and rising star, Dan Ige. I really don’t know how this one goes but, if I had to say, it’s Korean Zombie by submission or decision. I think the most interesting fight on the card is Chito Vera and Davey Grant. Both of these guys are going to sit and trade, no doubt. I think Grant is a little too big and too good of a boxer for Vera, so Grant by split decision. That’s a hard prediction to make, especially since I’ve met Chito in person and he seems to be a really friendly, humble guy. Lastly, could be Matt Brown’s last fight which is sad since he’s been around forever. Interestingly enough, Brown is fighting Dhiego Lima who is the younger brother of Bellator champion Douglas Lima. How it all relates is that Douglas Lima lost the old ISCF welterweight belt to Matt Brown. Small world. Should be a good fight that probably ends in a knockout, but then again, what do I know.

COPA AMERICA

It’s Brazil’s tournament to lose but it will still be interesting to see if Messi can win one, if Colombia continues to be the most frustrating country to watch as a fan, and if Uruguay or Chile can make things interesting with their old dogs.