Try this week’s “Spinning Again Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly dwell present that takes a spin by way of the most important subjects in blended martial arts. This week’s panel of Mike Bohn, Danny Segura and Brian “Goze” Garcia will be a part of host “Attractive” George Garcia dwell at midday ET (9 a.m. PT) to debate and debate:
- Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou formally ended his free company after signing a landmark cope with the PFL that can pay him an undisclosed minimal purse, the liberty to pursue boxing, a management function as the top of PFL Africa, and extra. There’s by no means been a fighter contract like this within the historical past of blended martial arts. Is that this a game-changing deal and simply how a lot of recreation changer is it?
- On the identical day of the Ngannou signing, the UFC introduced a bonanza of massive fights that can happen this summer time at UFC 291 and UFC 292. First at UFC 291 on July 29 in Salt Lake Metropolis, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje will rematch for the “BMF” title within the evening’s headliner; the person card additionally contains Alex Pereira’s mild heavyweight debut vs. Jan Blachowicz within the co-headliner, Paulo Costa’s return vs. Ikram Aliskerov, Tony Ferguson vs. Bobby Inexperienced, and Michael Chiesa vs. Kevin Holland. Then at UFC 292 on Aug. 19 in Boston, two title fights will headline as bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling takes on Sean O’Malley, and strawweight champ Zhang Weili meets Amanda Lemos. Which of those fights stands out most?
- In keeping with Conor McGregor and the U.S. Anti-Doping Company, the previous UFC champ-champ is predicted to affix the drug testing pool any day now (“instantly”), which might clear the best way for his return earlier than the tip of the yr to combat fellow “TUF 31” coach Michael Chandler. What ought to be the stakes for the matchup?
- One other Sterling combat reserving, one other set of questions after the 135-pound champ forged some doubt about competing Aug. 19 at UFC 292, saying he agreed verbally however his “physique has to agree.” In response, UFC president Dana White mentioned Sterling “can’t get out of his personal manner” however assured he’ll combat, and O’Malley mentioned he’ll combat whoever they put in entrance of him, which leads you to imagine an interim title scenario might come up if Sterling doesn’t make it. Does Sterling vs. O’Malley really feel compelled at this level in comparison with different champions who had extra time between fights?
- Jon Jones was very energetic on social media final week, not solely throwing shade at Ngannou after his PFL deal was introduced but in addition partaking in a back-and-forth with boxing heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and issuing a (foolish) problem of kinds. What do you make of Jones’ general vibe from final week?
“Spinning Again Clique” is launched every Monday LIVE on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You possibly can watch this week’s episode within the video above.
