Derrick Lewis eyes WWE, Matt Brown retires, more

Try this week’s “Spinning Again Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly reside present that takes a spin via the most important subjects in combined martial arts.

This week’s panel of Matt Wells, Danny Segura, and Mike Bohn will be a part of host “Beautiful” George Garcia reside at midday ET (9 a.m. PT) to debate and debate the next subjects:

• UFC on ESPN 56 is within the books. It was an excellent night time of fights in St. Louis that noticed Derrick Lewis bounce again from defeat with a vicious knockout over Rodrigo Nascimento within the headlining act. The occasion additionally featured Joaquin Buckley’s fourth consecutive win at welterweight, Robelis Despaigne’s first skilled loss, and rather more. What do these outcomes imply, and what’s subsequent for the winners and losers? We break all of it down.
• Saturday’s occasion was one of many few UFC Battle Nights hosted exterior the UFC Apex in 2024. There’s been a complete of 16 UFC occasions this yr and half of them have been hosted on the Apex – one thing that’s acquired criticism as a result of lack of viewers and ambiance, together with the standard of the occasions themselves. UFC CEO Dana White stated on the UFC on ESPN 56 post-fight press convention the promotion plans to cut down on the quantity of occasions it hosts on the Apex and appears to get on the street extra. However will it occur, or extra importantly, can it occur? We talk about.
• Matt Brown, one of the vital seasoned and beloved fighters right now, determined to hang up the gloves this previous week. The longtime UFC welterweight stated he leaves with no exhausting emotions towards the promotion, however did admit it wasn’t the way in which he hoped to stroll away from MMA. Brown additionally indicated he’s achieved with MMA, however wouldn’t rule out competing in combat sports.
• One other weekend, one other set of fights. They won’t be the most important playing cards, however the two greatest MMA promotions right now are internet hosting occasions this weekend, with PFL’s Bellator Championship Sequence: Paris taking place Friday and UFC Fight Night 241 on Saturday. We break down the principle occasions for every card, together with different standout matchups.