Mailbag: What are the three greatest UFC fights nonetheless to return this 12 months?

We’re coming off an off week on the earth of MMA, with the most important factor occurring being the Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal boxing match. Aside from that, we’re additionally on the midway mark of the 12 months, so let’s get to an actual mishmash of questions, together with the very best fights to return this 12 months, Dustin Poirier’s “Final Dance,” and Jiri Prochazka’s existential disaster.

Upcoming Fights

What’s your high three most anticipated fights (UFC) for the second half of the 12 months which might be booked already or have an important likelihood of being booked someday this 12 months?

Love this query as a result of two of them have been absurdly straightforward, and the third was fairly tough.

My most anticipated battle for the remainder of this 12 months is sort of simply Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya. I backed “DDP” from day one, and was among the many most vocal proponents of creating this battle after the Derek Brunson matchup. Seventeen months later, I’ll lastly get what I need.

DDP vs. Izzy might be the very best battle since Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor, by way of the totality of issues. These males are polar opposites out and in of the cage and there’s actual animosity between them, with actual, significant stakes on the road. These matchups don’t come round all that usually. Plus, there’s a excessive chance of one thing humorous occurring if DDP runs headlong into Izzy’s offense and will get clobbered. A+++ battle.

Second, and this can be most individuals’s No. 1 battle, is Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway. It’s an distinctive matchup between the brand new champion and the outdated guard who’s coming off probably the very best efficiency of his profession. Terrific on all counts.

The explanation this isn’t No. 1 for me, aside from my longstanding love for DDP-Izzy, is I’m a bit extra skeptical of Holloway’s possibilities than most are. It looks as if nobody is factoring in that Holloway appeared so good in opposition to Justin Gaethje as a result of a) Gaethje himself is slightly outdated and b) it was at light-weight. Max’s final couple of fights at 145 kilos weren’t unhealthy performances, however they weren’t the very best of his profession. I form of want he’d simply keep at 155 kilos and see what sort of havoc he can wreak up there. However nonetheless, nice battle.

The ultimate one was the robust name. Jon Jones won’t ever battle Tom Aspinall, in order that’s out. Nobody has ever been excited a few Leon Edwards battle (or a Belal Muhammad battle both for that matter) in order that’s out. Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan appears to be up within the air and in addition to, I kinda suppose that’s a Georges St-Pierre–Jon Fitch scenario. So I’m going to go along with my coronary heart, though 82 % of you’ll hate it: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev.

Ankalaev is an effective fighter! Fairly probably the very best mild heavyweight on the earth. And although he definitely has been boring earlier than, it’s not like he’s the aforementioned Jon Fitch. Ankalaev has loads of thrilling performances. Plus, I wish to see simply how highly effective the magic of Alex Pereira is. In principle, Ankalaev is a tough fashion matchup, however is that true? I wish to discover out. It’s much more fascinating than having him battle a random heavyweight.

Additionally, simply as an apart, if this query prolonged past simply the UFC, the true No. 1-with-a-bullet battle for me is Eddie Corridor vs. Mariusz Pudzianowski, correctly for all true MMA followers.

Dustin Poirier

Would a Dustin Poirier vs Nate Diaz be the proper last bout for “The Diamond?”

So regardless of Poirier type of retiring after UFC 302, it didn’t take lengthy for him to nearly instantly stroll that again. I by no means thought Poirier would retire (MMA is like comedian books and demise: everybody comes again besides Uncle Ben, Bruce Wayne’s dad and mom, and Khabib), however I used to be even shocked by how rapidly it occurred. And sure, the clear and apparent selection for any “Final Dance” for Poirier is Nate Diaz, however I believe that doesn’t occur.

Diaz simply pulled off a minor upset in beating Jorge Masvidal of their boxing match this previous weekend, and instantly after, Stockton’s most interesting laid the inspiration for a return to the UFC. Will it occur? I don’t know. However even when it does, Nate gained’t be combating Poirier. There’s a non-zero likelihood Nate can stroll proper right into a welterweight title shot on his return, and if he doesn’t do this, Conor McGregor is ready. Conor would (and possibly needs to) abandon the Michael Chandler battle instantaneously. These are larger fights for Nate, and so for Poirier, it’s simply unhealthy timing.

If Poirier actually does wish to do one final rodeo, there are solely two choices. The primary is Alexander Volkanovski, who already referred to as for it, and the opposite is a trilogy bout with Justin Gaethje. The Volk battle is a enjoyable, new matchup, that everybody can be ok with. The Gaethje battle is the conclusion of the rivalry (and the careers) of two of the best motion fighters in historical past. Personally, I hope it’s the latter, however Volk wouldn’t be a foul comfort prize.

Jiri Prochazka

What do you consider Jiri transferring all the way down to middleweight? I feel mild heavyweight is his appropriate weight class, Alex is simply too good of a technical striker for him. Do you suppose Jiri can be greatest altering camps and dealing on his protection?

So apparently Jiri is contemplating a drop all the way down to 185 kilos for a recent begin after getting iced by Pereira for a second time, and I personally couldn’t hate one thing extra.

Jiri didn’t get knocked out as a result of he’s too small at mild heavyweight (I’ve by no means as soon as thought him to be something aside from monumental at 205), and he didn’t get knocked out as a result of Pereira’s spirit powers. He bought knocked out as a result of he’s bought unhealthy protection, and he realized completely nothing from their first matchup.

Significantly, Jiri bought killed by Pereira, went again to the gymnasium and stated “for the rematch, I’ll do the identical factor, solely change stances so his leg kicks harm me much less.” And he thought that was some skeleton key to victory? That’s insane.

The reality is, Jiri doesn’t want to vary something. This has all the time been his fashion, it’s simply that 95 % of sunshine heavyweights haven’t been in a position to punish him for it. Pereira was. I’m unsure anybody else will be capable of at mild heavyweight. At middleweight? Completely different story. It’s a greater division, and it’s unlikely Jiri will be capable of take the identical pictures he does now after a weight minimize like that. 185 kilos would solely harm him.

The best way to unravel Jiri’s issues is to truly work on his recreation, like how Justin Gaethje did after shedding back-to-back fights. Gaethje realized he’d reached a ceiling, and you understand, realized learn how to not battle like a lunatic always. He nonetheless has that in him, and deploys it at opportune moments, however he is also a VASTLY improved defensive fighter with a extra assorted recreation. That’s what Jiri must do. Go work with Jason Parillo or Duke Roufus and really “evolve,” as a substitute of hoping being larger will remedy your issues.

My Favorites

Your high 5 favourite fighters of all time.

That is straightforward as a result of I take into consideration stuff like this on a regular basis.

To notice, that is in chronological order of once I grew to become a fan of them, NOT a rating. That’s too laborious for me to determine. However these are the blokes who after they fought I’d get legitimately nervous about. Others are additionally in that tier as effectively, notably Carlos Condit simply misses the minimize right here, however these are the large ones. Give me yours down within the feedback.

Thanks for studying, and thanks for everybody who despatched in tweets (Xs?)! Do you will have any burning questions on issues a minimum of considerably associated to fight sports activities? Then you definately’re in luck, as a result of you possibly can ship your tweets to me, @JedKMeshew, and I’ll reply my favourite ones! Doesn’t matter in the event that they’re topical or insane, simply as long as they’re good. Thanks once more, and see y’all subsequent week.