MMA Fighting - 2023 UFC Champions Predictions: Who Will Hold UFC Gold By Year's End?

Episode Date: January 16, 2023

Who will be our 12 UFC champions by the end of 2023? The gang returns to the roundtable to predict the upcoming championship slate and debate the biggest winners and biggest upsets of the next 12 months. Follow Shaun Al-Shatti @ShaunAlShatti Follow José Youngs @JoseYoungs Follow Damon Martin @DamonMartin Follow Jed Meshew @JedKMeshew Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Hope all of you out there are having a wonderful little start to your week. Wonderful little start to your year. I'm Sean O'Shaughty. We got the crew here, Jose Youngs, Damon Martin, Jed Mishu, and fellas, we're doing a little competition here today. We're calling our shots, peered into those crystal balls, to predict the UFC champions at the end of 2023.

Now, this is something we have done offline before, and years past, a couple different times, just informally amongst ourselves. And whatever you're thinking out there when you're listening to this, whatever's running through your mind, trust me, if you've never done this, you should give it a shot.

It is much, much harder than you think it was. Like I said, we've done this a couple times just sort of in the background on the website, and there's 12 divisions, honestly you're lucky if you get like half of them, right? Like six of them is a decent result here. So before we get too late in the year, it's time to bust out the 2023 edition.

We're going to rip through these. But one question here, fellas, before we start, open floor. Did this year feel harder than in years past? Because to me, it feels like we're almost at a weird in-between zone with a lot of these divisions. Did anybody else struggle with this a little bit more than usual? Yes, but that might be a good thing, right? because like normally I feel really good and normally I'm just wrong as shit.

So like maybe this time like I don't know shot in the dark. I'm thinking about it a little bit more trying to like really set it out how it's going to go. Maybe I've come to a better process in figuring this out. But yeah, zero level of confidence in any of these things that are happening right now. See, the problem is in 2022 like a couple of the longest reigning champions who looked kind of unbeatable when you look at Israel out of Sanya and Kumar Usman they both lost so that kind of threw everything into upheaval so I have like two fighters this year that I think man there's no way they're going to lose and I guarantee one of them is going to end up getting upset somehow like that's

just how this sport works because the guys who I would have guaranteed locked last year I ended up losing so yeah it's there's just chaos when you do this I mean six new champions last year And in that same vein, both of those fighters you mentioned were, like, minutes away from defending their title successfully. So, like, Hail Mary touched, like, touchdown victory. So for all we know, like, if those, if Camaro doesn't get head kicked and Israel's not going to get uppercut, we're talking about are they locks for the greatest ever at the end of the year? But that's not where we're at. Yeah. And it's just so weird now when you look at this landscape, right?

Because, like, a lot of divisions, light heavyweights kind of influx. We have no idea what the hell is going to have. one light heavy weight. And the two you mentioned, I mean, Alex and Leon, I think there are probably several fighters in either division that we would wager to defeat those guys. Like, it doesn't feel like maybe they're the best talents there, but they're the ones that are holding the belt. So it's all very strange. And also, like, you've got divisions like Bansomwey where who's even really going to fight for the belt at some point. Like in the women's divisions in particular, it feels very up in the air. I don't know. I'm excited to do this. Let's jump into it. One other little

plot twist, though, that we're going to throw in here. And Damon, you might. mentioned it. We're going to get two locks each. Locks count for double points. So if you get the lock right, that's double. But you are not allowed to use those locks for Valentina Schoenegov, or Madonnoons. That's just cheating. That's too easy. We're taking away easy mode. All right, fellas, let's do this. We're going to move through these quickly. And you're out there listening. Send us your picks as well. Who do you think is going to end the year with the UFC gold? Let's have some fun with this. Hey there, Sean from the future here. Just wanted to give you guys a little context.

for what you're about to hear. We actually recorded this conversation on Friday. That's before, obviously, the big news dropped on Saturday regarding Francis and Ganoon, you know, the fact that there is no UFC heavyweight champion at all right now didn't actually end up mattering. None of us picked Francis. But again, just wanted to throw in some context for what you're about to hear. The wild times in 2023 just do not stop, do they?

We appreciate you guys, love you. Let's get back to the picks. So let's start with the big boys. The heavy weights. Of course, Francis Ingano holds the belt right now. But will that be true this time next year? Jose, hit me. No, and I'm going to use one of my locks right out of the gate.

Because I've been saying this for... Wow, okay. How long have I been at MMAfighting.com since 2018? And if you go back through the annals of time, even when Sean was at whatever newsletter he was working at for those handful of months, and then when he came back, I was saying, I've been saying that John Jones is going to be the UFC heavyweight champion real quick as soon as he jumps up to the heavyweight division.

I think John Joe's the most talented UFC fighter that I've ever seen in my entire life, and that includes George St. Pierre and Demetri's Johnson. Not talking greatest. I'm talking most talented. This is very much the LeBron James versus Michael Jordan debate. But I think John Jones is the most talented fighter I've ever seen. I think his last few fights to light heavyweight, he had just been complacent. And he was kind of, you know, he lost a lot of time.

with suspensions and stuff going on outside of the cage. And he even admitted when we were at that media day before he fought Tiago Santos that a lot of these fights that he was taking was to make up to the fans and regain lost time. So the UFC would offer him these fights and he would just take them because he didn't want to make it up, just knowing he was just better than them. So yes, he barely beat Tiago Santos. And it is a real big argument. I don't think he beat Dominic Gray's,

but I think if John Jones shows up on point and is motivated, I think he just steamrolls everyone at that light. heavyweight division. I think John Jones beats Francis and Gano. I think Cyril Gahn is a huge wild card. I think Cyril Gond could beat him. Curse Blades, because obviously beat him with his wrestling. But I think John Jones is going to be the UFC heavyweight champion

at the end of 2023. Even if he fights once and then they're just trying to figure it out for the rest of the year, I think John Jones will hold UFC gold at January, at December 31st, 2023. Wow. Coming out of the gates

using one of his locks on John Jones, a man who has not fought since, what, 2020, a man who's probably the most unreliable person in the history of mixed martial arts. That's wild, but I'm here for it. So, that's so aggressive. It's just so aggressive because, like, one, the last time John Jones fought, we didn't have COVID. We didn't know what COVID was the last time this man fought.

And that feels like a lifetime ago since COVID was not part of my life. And that's, that, and John didn't even. win that fight. Like the last time he like definitively won, I mean, I didn't think he definitively beat Tiago Santos either. So we're talking four years, Anthony Smith. Hoof, bold, especially when he also might win the belt and then vacate it as has happened three other times in his career. So love, love the confidence. I am not doing that. I can't do it. I can't have any belief in John Jones. For the longest time, I thought he would lose to Francis and Ghani. because if you are afraid of Tiago Santos without knees punching you,

you are going to be shit your pants terrified of Francis Nguuu standing across the cage from you. But I am now worried that, you know, you mentioned at the top, the other two of the other three kings lost fights they were winning. Maybe John Jones does come back. Maybe that happens. I can't bank on it. So I'm going with the much stupider pick. Taken, this is the year, guys.

This is Curtis Blades year. Finally. He's beaten everybody that isn't John Jones, essentially. John is going to have to, or, uh, Franz Sangano, I think we are going to get John Jones, France, and Ganu. I'm going to pick Francongan who win that fight. Then I'm going to say Ngano fights one more by the end of the year.

Curtis Blades is going to fight Cyril Gan in a number one contenders bout because there's nothing else to do with either man. And I think Blades beats him. and then we get the trilogy no one is clamoring for but we're going to get nonetheless Blades in Ghanu three and this time, this time Curtis gets it done. Curtis Blades, heavyweight champion and then they close the division down because God knows they don't want Curtis Blades to be their heavyweight champion. Wow.

I did not expect Jones and Blades off the board right off the bat, but I'm here for it. I mean, Damon, what do you think about all this? So I'm kind of with like I've been very much on the the Jed mindset when it comes to Francis and Gano and John Jones that if they fought you know John Jones even in his best days like even in his most dominant fights he still gets hits again he still gets hit occasionally like he took some punches in the Cormier fights he took some punches in in the in other fights you do not just get to sit there and trade punches with Francis and Gano and hope to survive for five round so I've actually long said that I think Francis Ngano could beat him.

But I'm going to throw another giant wrench into the, into the works here and say that my pick to be heavyweight champion at the end of 20203 is none other than Sergey Pavlovich. I think Sergey is the most dangerous heavyweight out there not named Francis and Gano. I don't think the UFC is going to put Surreal Gahn or Curtis Blaze anywhere near Francis and Gano again because, you know, neither, neither fight really sells that much. saying Sergei's a star yet, but I think if he beats John Jones, again, and we're saying if that fight even happens, because we're, depending on John Jones actually coming back and fighting it heavyweight after first teasing that move 11 years ago, assuming that fight happens,

I think Sergey will end up being the next man in line, and I think Sergey Pavlovich knocks out Francis Ingano. Wow. That might be the boldest prediction yet. We've seen Sergey Pavlovich lose aggressively to Alistair over him not that long ago, and now he's just, and he might not be wrong. Maybe he does not have to know. But man, heavyweight.

What a division. Heavyweight might be the most fun in 2023 than it's been in a long time. If we can get any of this coming through. That's also why I can't pick like the incumbent champion because we just seen this too many times where a guy that were like, oh yeah, this guy's going to be champion for years. And then, you know, it's heavyweight. Someone one punch and it's all over. So like Francis looks like he could be that guy, but, you know, that's just heavyweight.

That's how it happens. We may have all just given you a layup first point on the board here, Heen. Like, are you just going to take the chalk answer? I'm not. I'm not, I'm actually stunned that we all have different answers. Oh, can I change my name? Francis In Ganu. Can I change mine?

It's locked in. It's already locked in. The audience heard it. I'm going to Cyril gone. A man, both, all of you guys mentioned in this picture. And he seems to, to me, I could very much see a Francis and Ganu-esque arc for. him where he's in this first title fight probably a little bit too soon he's almost there he almost wins it it's very competitive and he learns a lesson coming out of it and i to me he's still

like one of the most technically proficient fighters in this entire division and if he goes into a francis a gun of rematch i would probably pick him uh but that being said i mean the fact that all of us pick different people and nobody pick francis means that francis is definitely going to end the year with the ufc belt still around his waist and we're all just haters i guess i have regrets i I thought I was going to get the edge. I was going to try and play the long shot here. And now I should have just taken the chalk. Well, from one crazy division to another that has complete uncertainty,

let's go to 205. There is no champion right now. We'll find out a new champion, I guess, ostensibly at UFC 283. But also, though, you know, what does that mean? That fight was made a championship fight on short notice. Nobody really knows anything that's going on at 205. Jet hit us. where are you going with this?

I almost put this as my lock. I don't think it would be responsible to use this as my lock because there are two pretty clear choices. But it's Yeri Prahashka. You know, you know, Shaheen. I took him in the column we wrote about predicting the new champs. Yeri Pajshka, he's coming back. Look, yes, he had the worst shoulder injury

in the history of organized professional sports allegedly. Sure, we don't have any idea what's happening or when he's coming back. But he says he's coming back. And you know what? I believe in Erie because he believes in himself. So he's going to come back at the end of the year. We've seen him beat Glover to share.

Glover is a thousand percent going to beat Jamal Hill this next next weekend or whatever. And then he'll just wait. Maybe they do an uncleave. Either way, I think Erie is the best light heavy way in the world. He's certainly the most fun one. He's going to get a title fight at the end of the year and he's going to win it. He's going to reclaim the unclaim the uncons. crowned the champion title of that he lost of no fault of his own.

I butchered all of that, but the point remains. Uri Prasca, 2023 champion. Your Prasca, a man who may not even fight in 2023. That is Jet's pick. Jose took a dude who hasn't fought in four years, and I don't hear that backlash. You're coming to me over here.

What do you think, David? So, again, Yuri is a great pick because, you know, hypothetically he's the uncrowned champion as a stance but i just shoulder injuries are so nasty like shoulder injuries and knee injuries like the two injuries you can't count on coming back from really quickly so i'm just going to discount him entirely i do think glover's going to end up being champion after uc 283 and then it's just a matter of throwing darts at a board to see who's actually going to get a title shot there and so i'm going to i'm going to with the least amount of confidence ever i'm going to go with magabed ankelaia being champion because i thought he beat yonbollah

and should have been champion anyways. And I still have faith that Maga Man Enkolaev is the best light, heavyweight in the sport, even though he's been winning very ugly over the last couple of years. But I still have faith in him finding a way to beat, you know, the legend in Glover to share. I just don't see Yuri coming back this year. Or if he does,

it's going to be like December. And I just can't see Glover sitting from January to December unless there's an injury or something. So I'm going to go with Angolaev because I don't think the UFC is going to want to put Lohovich back in there. You know, Anthony Smith is. getting a title shot anytime soon. Ryan Span, you know,

it's kind of an interesting guy, but he's still a couple wins away from there. So yeah, I'm going to go with Megaman Enkolaev is the most likely guy to get a title shot against Glover to share, and I think he beats Glover. So I'm going to go to Ankylaev.

Yeah, I think I'm with you, Damon. I'm also going Ankelyev. I don't say with confidence because this man is definitely not the UFC's favorite person right now, and it feels like they're not going to do him any favors anytime soon. But the fact that light heavyweight

is just so, what's the opposite of talent rich? Right? Like, it is just completely uninteresting right now. Like, light heavyweight is by far outside of women's bantam weight, which is a different conversation entirely. But light heavy weight might be the most uninteresting division at the top. So it's just they're not going to have a chance. They're not going to have like a choice.

Eklav's going to come back. He's going to beat some Paul Craig type of dude. And then there's only one real option if Uri's not back. And that's to throw him back into it. And I think he's still probably the cream of the crop here in this division. without Yuri. This division needs Jelton Almeida.

Why can't he come back and fight him like heavyweight? Like that's what this division needs. Facts. Facts. Fax. Jose, where are you going with this?

Yeah, I'm just going down the list. It's just process of elimination. It's probably going to be Magamette Ankelai of. Alexander Ratchik is a interesting name, especially if he comes back and gets a like an impressive win and they kind of catapult him because it's just unfortunate that when Yon B. Ratchik, it was due to that weird freak injury.

Yeri like tears his shoulder. or Magomed beats Anthony Smith with a weird injury too. So a lot of these guys are winning, but they're not melting their opponents. They're not just beating the soul out of them. And I would pick Yuri if I had any confidence he could come back. I just don't know if he'll be back in time, like you all said. I mean, he could bathe his shoulder and the river and then heal it like he talks about.

But I have no idea. This is the least confidence I'll have this entire podcast. I'm just going to say Magamid by process of elimination. You're all doubting the Czech samurai, and I'm not here for it. He's human to some degree, right? Like, he has to be human. Based on what? On what facts of Yuri perhaps of life do you think he's human?

Have you, is this day one in MMA for you? What has this man ever done that has looked human? Here's the other problem. Yeri is inhuman. He may, but the problem is he may come back and Dillishaw himself. That's the problem. He may be the lunatic. He's like, I'm back after nine months.

And then his shoulder, because shoulder, If that's as bad as the shoulder injury is what we hear, shoulder injuries, you don't bounce back from that quickly. Like, that's just the reality. Like, you just do not come back that quickly from a shoulder injury. He may come back quickly and then Dillishaw his way to a loss. I agree. You don't in a real weight class like Bannonweight.

But two or five sucks shit. And y'all are all going to be kicking yourselves come September. Year he's rocking the top knot again. He is back here doing some weird mountain training. And you're all going to be like, I messed up. A messed up should have taken Yuri. The scenes in 205 are just, it's terrible.

We need Yuri back. We really do need Yuri back. This division is so uninteresting without it. Once Glover leaves, like, we're going to have nothing. We're going to have nothing here. Let's keep it moving, though. Middleweight, I don't think many of us expected we'd be talking about Alex Pereira like we are, our 2022 fighter of the year, like we have been.

But, I mean, this is the guy who comes in holding the belt. Ostensibly him and Izzy are going to go at it again. Damon, where you going with you? this one. Boy, I tell you. So, this is a tough one because, you know, my heart of hearts, even though it was a huge upset and he was, you know, five minutes away from losing, I do think Alex Breyer can beat Israel Adasania again because I think at this point, being three and no against him, I feel like it's going to get in Izzy's head. I mean, it's hard. It's impossible not to to have the second fight. You look like you're doing well. You have him on skates and then he comes

back and knocks out colds. The first fight in MMA, you're beating him. You're up three rounds to one. looks like you're going to win, and then he catch you with the uppercut, and they stop it, and it's over. And it just feels like it's bad juju for Israel out of Sonia to fight Alex Pereira. So I'm going to go out of the prayer in that one, but I'm going to throw a giant curveball here for who is going to be middle-aged champion the end of the year, because I don't think, I just don't think when you look at the upper echelon division, I don't think they're going to want to rush Robert Whitaker back in there.

I don't think they're going to want to put guys like Marvin Vittori in there, Jared Canaanier. So my pick for the middle-weight champion by the end of 2020 is none other than Hamzat Chamaev. Because I think Hamzot is more suited at middleweight. I think there's an easier path for him to get a title shot of middleweight. I think ultimately, as much as they want this Colby Covington fight to happen, it sure doesn't look like it's going to happen. And I just think there's too much of a risk at Hamzot continuing to cut to 170.

So I think if Pereira beats Izzy, then they're going to put him in there with Chimai of, and that is the absolute last fight in the universe that Alex Pereira wants. Because I think Chamev would take him down and submit him inside the first round. So I'm going with Hamzaa Chamaev as middleweight champion by the end of the year. But that's not a lock. I'm just throwing it out there because I don't know who else it would be because I think we may only end up getting one five, one middleweight title fight this year between Izzy and and Pereira.

But I'm going to go at the oddball pick and say Jamev. If Chameh Pereira gets booked tomorrow, what do you think the odds are on that? Like how heavy of a favorite is Hamzaa than that? Minus 4.50. So more than 4 to 1. Yeah. It's probably too low, right? Like that's probably even too low.

That is our first Hamsat mention of the podcast. I'm sure it's not going to be our last, Jose, where you go with 185. I was going to pick Hamsat too, just solely because if you've seen the photo of him on Instagram, that man is never going to touch 170 ever again. That man's shoulders don't end. Like, they take up the, like, if he was on, if he was on the show with us and this was a video show, his shoulders would leave the screen. Like, that dude is not coming close to 175.

that alone 170. That man looks more like a light heavyweight at this point. As soon as Robert Whitaker lost Paulo Costa, I had been saying, like, just book Hamzaa against Robert Whitaker right now. And then if Hamzaat beats Robert Whitaker, he's the best middleweight in the world and just take the bell from Alex

and just give it to Hamzaa because that's essentially what it would be. I think Hamzaa Shamiov could be the best middleweight on the world. I think Israel beats Alex Barra in the rematch, but I still think Hamzaa Shumayev ends the year with the UFC Middle Age Championship wrapped around his way solely because he will never make 170 ever again because he is just way too big.

All right. That's Hoover Humza. What do you think, Jud? I want to hear you first, Heen. I want to close the show here. All right, all right. I'm going to go with the old standard. I'll go Izzy.

And maybe this is me being silly. Maybe this is a stupid pick. Maybe picking against the guy who's down 03 in the series is a little bit ridiculous. But you look at this series and it's just the most bizarre thing. thing that I've ever seen in combat sports, right? Because the first fight, he clearly should have won the first fight. It's a bad decision. Then the last two fights, he's winning until he's not in the very, very last round of both

of these fights. Like, this is the strangest thing I've ever seen. Lightning can't possibly strike for a fourth time in a row. You'd have to think, I believe in Izzy will be more motivated for this next Alex fight than for anything else he's ever been in his entire life, I would imagine, because this guy just has to hate Alex at this point. And then I just don't know if we'll get a shot for Hamza. Like I see gold in Hamza's future, but if Izzy wins that fight, they're going to do the trilogy.

And then at that point, that's the year. Like that runs out the time span for what we're doing here. So I'm going Izzy. Don't feel great about it, but I don't know. I just have a hunch. Where are you going, Jed? So you shouldn't feel great about it because he's lost three times. And every time he said that this is the most motivated.

It's not an issue of motivation. It's an issue of tactics. Izzy approaches Perreira with really bad tactics. That's why it gets knocked the hell out. I think that's probably going to happen again. I believe that when they do rematch, I'm going to pick Alex Pereira again, picked him this past time,

just going to keep riding that pony till the wheels fall off. But even if I'm wrong, it doesn't matter because the winner, the champion at the end of the year is, as our esteemed colleague said, Hamzaa Chamaev. It's going to be the UFC middleweight champion by the

end of the year. My guess is in the late winner he fights either Pereira or Adisania. I'm leaning Pereira, but he feel good that he wins either of those fights. But the reason I wanted to go last is because I'm going to segue us right into 170, baby,

because the way Hamza gets the 185 title is first he is going to throttle the winner of Usman Edwards that will have and claim the welterweight strap, and then immediately, they're not going to make him fight Bala Muhammad because nobody gives a shit about Balaahmahad getting a title fight, baby. They're going to say, hey, he did it, and he's going to either be, he gets to fight Pereira,

and Pereira gets the opportunity to prove that he's a well-rounded MMA fighter, or he gets to fight Izzy because Izzy and Usman, you know, UFC Africa boys, they're feeling teammate, and he gets to go do it. Double tramp by the end of the year, baby. Hamza Atchamai. have. Wow. Look at this. I'm just going to go right after you because I'm going Hamza for for Welterweight as well. And that's a lock. That is one of my locks. I just, I mean, he's, it has to happen. This man is inevitable at 170. I think he only probably has two fights left

max at 170. But he has already started in this division. He's already putting too much work in this division. His team seems determined to get this belt. I agree. I think he's going to hold two titles at some point. I just don't know that he'll get there at the end of this year, but I believe he will still be that man at 170 at the end of 2023. And if you throw him up against anybody in this division, he's going to be the betting favorite and justifiably. So I'm going Hamzot and I'm using a lock there. Love it. Love the energy. I just, I'm with Jose and like I have zero faith in him making welterweight multiple times and especially getting to 170. Like not 171.

He can get to, he was he was 179. Yeah. David. Baby. Yeah. I just see that thing. Yeah. I just I just, I just, I have zero faith that they're like they're there i just can't see him standing on a scale weighing 170 pounds i just can't and also at welterweight so the reason i'm going a different direction of welter is because this division while we have had you know instances where kamar usman defended the title three times in a year we're getting into territory where it feels like we're going to be in like a one title fight kind of territory especially you know we still haven't heard the announcement that the usman edwards three is going to happen in march maybe it gets pushed back it doesn't happen in london and

And then at that point, I think we're talking about maybe one well-to-way title fight this year, which I think is realistic. So I'm going to go with Kamar Usman as champion by the end of the year because I think he beats Leon Edwards in the rematch. He was beating him soundly in the rematch and then do it again in the trilogy. He got caught with the head kick. Also, I know it's an excuse. Both guys were under it for that one. But that fight being in Salt Lake City, man, it just drained the life out of everybody on that card. And I think both Leon and Usman did not look great in that fight.

and I think the altitude played a part in that. So I think Oosman comes back. I think he beats Edwards and I think he ends the year's champion, not necessarily because I think he loses or beats Chmai, everything else. I just don't think we're going to get in their title fight. I think it's going to be one and done for the year. And so I'm going with Kamar Usman as champion. Kamar Usman will be 36 with by the end of this year.

Bad knees, 36 years old. We'll see. Jose, what do you think? Yeah, I'm also going to go Kamar Usman solely based of mostly what Damon said. I think he was obviously a few minutes away from beating Leon Edwards. You can obviously say Leon Edwards was the altitude and this and that. But there was a point in time where we were all talking about is Kamar Usman,

just the greatest welter ever. I was not in that category, but that was obviously a debate that was brought up at every single press conference and media day at nauseam. Kamara Usman is also one of these fighters where they're very talented in the ring, I mean, in the cage and in the octagon. And they have all the physical tools and abilities in there. also the way he approaches this game, he kind of puts together these game plans that just seemed to work

using his strengths and his opponent's weakness. You saw with Jorge Mazelah when he knocked him out. You saw what he stifled Kobe Cumberton. He's just a very well-rounded all-around mixed martial arts. And I think he beats Leon Edwards in the rematch. But I'm also with Damon. I don't know how many times this title would be defended. So even if he gets the title against Leon Edwards, say, in March,

I don't know if he'll fight again for the rest of the year, solely because he has that weird wrist injury. He has the bad knees. Maybe he just wants time to recover because, like Sean said, is getting up there in age. I just think Kamauzman gets the title back and probably doesn't fight for the rest of the year. Well, the rest of the Welterweight division sorts themselves out much to the chagrin of Balam Mohammed.

I just don't know how much Kamarro feels like he has left. That's my only question. I just have a hunch that this guy sort of is more towards like I'm done mode than I have this immense fire to reclaim what's been mine for like the past several years. We'll see though. I mean, it's very, it's very interesting division, but also it might be the most inactive division, as you fellow said in 2023. That'll be a little frustrating, but we'll see.

Moving on, let's move to 155. And I feel like we probably may all go the same direction on this, but maybe not. Let's start with you, Jed. This is a mockachev, baby. It's a lock. Lock it in. I've been saying for years, the dudes here, he arrived, he ascended. God love Alexander Volcanowski, probably the actual best fighter in the world, pound for pound.

He's, he is going to get. Max Holloway took Alexander Volcanovsky down consistently. I'm real confident Islam's ability to just mess this very small man up. So, yeah, and I don't know who the, my long shot here is, I have a long shot bet on him at 4,000. Is Hafeel Fiziv? because if Fiziv does get the Ghaji fight and can angle his way, I think he is the toughest matchup for Mokachev.

I don't even think he wins. So, yeah, it's Makhchev all day. Lock it in, baby. Jose? I'm also going to go Islam Makhachev. I'm not going to lock it in because I'm going to save my last lock for later on in this podcast. But yeah, looking at the top of the division or even just the top 15, I don't see any fighter on this list that I think someone could argue

and I would consider them any sort of threat. Charles, maybe, but we saw what happened. Dustin, definitely not. Justin, definitely not. But Neil is, I pick against Benile Darius every fight, and he wins pretty much every fight. So if I say he's not going to be champion, which he'll probably be champion.

But it's Islam all day. This is the Islam show, whether Habib is in this corner or not. I don't see anyone in this top. 15 that will give him any sort of problems. I mean, the Arm and Sarukian fight, if he can climb his way back and get that rematch because that first fight was very, very fun. That was his UFC debut. I think that would be a lot of fun, but I don't even know if that's going to happen solely based off of all the names above Arm and Serukian. So maybe we talk about that 2024, but 2023, it's going to be the Islam shell. That belt is not leading to Agostan anytime soon. Yeah, I'm making this, I'm joining

in the crew. I mean, there's not even much more to be said. This man is clearly the cream of the crop at 155. I'm using a lock on this. This is my last lock. Lock it in. Islam Makachchev. I don't think he's going to lose for a very long time at 155. I think by the time this is over, he's going to be the all-time record holder for UFC title defenses. It just feels inevitable to me. What about you, David? Yeah, make it four for four. And I'm going to lock that in as well. Islam Makachchev is one of my locks. Although I will say, I do think he beats Alexander Volkanowski pretty sound, pretty soundly. I don't think that's going to be a great fight. I like Volkanowski, but I just don't think he he's got a lot for Islam,

but I actually think the most dangerous guy could be the one random dude who could get a title shot next, which is Binald Daryush. I think he is actually the toughest possible matchup for Islam because he's got world-class jiu-jitsu. He's got bricks in his hands. He's got knockout. Him beating Matush Gammarot the way he did

and beating him pretty dominantly was a, I think a wake-up call because Matush Gambraud looked like he was going to be a top-five guy and B'Neil worked him. So I think Binald-Dariush is the most dangerous guy in this division for I think there's a reason why Dustipori doesn't want to fight him and has nothing to do with Dustapori saying he's not a big enough name I think Dustin knows he's going to take an L in that fight.

That's why he didn't want to fight Benil Darius. So Binaldairoush is the most dangerous guy but I'm still going to stick with Islam. I'm going to lock it in but weirdly I think it's less of a confident lock because I think Binele can give him a fight. I think he is the most dangerous guy to fight him. I just feel like they're going to make Bineal

win like 40 fights in a row before he gets that opportunity. That's the other problem. That's the other problem. That's the other problem. Benil. Benil may be waiting like 2025 to get a title shot. See, he's going to get Tony Ferguson.

My issue is just that Benil is like bad Islam. Like he's like not as good at doing the things Islam is. If you're going to give me somebody, give me Fiziv, give me Jalen Turner, give me a guy who's doing something different, even if he's like very likely to also get obliterated in horrific fashion. Okay. Only 10 more presents to wrap.

You're almost at the finish. But first, there, the last one. Enjoy a Coca-Cola for a pause that refreshes. This episode is brought to you by Peloton. A new era of fitness is here. Introducing the new Peloton Cross Training Tread Plus, powered by Peloton IQ. Built for breakthroughs with personalized workout plans, real-time insights, and endless ways to move. Lift with confidence, while Peloton IQ counts reps, corrects, fours,

and tracks your progress. Let yourself run, lift, flow, and go. Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Treadplus at OnePeloton.ca. Well, from Islam to now the man who's fighting him in a couple of months here, probably for the number one pound for pound spot. Alexander Volcanowski, he's ruled the roost here at 145.

For a while, he's our number one pound for pound fighter on MMA fighting. Also, though, there's a lot of really interesting young talent coming up at 145 and dominant champions are dominant until the day they're not and then all of a sudden you just never see it coming so it's not a four-run conclusion at all at 145 exactly so where'd you go with this hose this one's tough solely because if vulcan like i know we just said that is not going to lose the title anytime sue but say there what mercury is in retrograde or whatever the gen zir say these days and alex vulcanowski wins and that he has two titles to defend

in two different way class. It just might be a numbers game, though you just might not see any of these young guys come up and get to challenge Volcanowski. I think Volcanowski beats the Iyer and Josh Emmett, whoever wins that interim title, I think the only name in this top 10 of the UFC rankings that I'm hyper interested in,

obviously is Iliate Tuporia, but he's at nine in the UFC ranking, so I don't think he's going to get there in time because Volcanowski is obviously going to have to defend his title against YIA and Brian, or between the Yairair, or Josh Emmett. And then after that, I have no idea what the future holds because that would be two title

fights for him in a year. I know he wants to stay active. Normally, fires that fight, Alex, that fight is Lamajov, don't look the same physically as they did entering that fight. So he might even have to take time off before he can even defend or unify those featherweight titles, especially I'm sure he's bulking up for 155 and then to have to cut to 145. I'm just going to assume we only see Volcanowski twice next year. So I'm going to say just process of elimination, I think he beats the winner of Emmett,

Yair. I think that's his only title fight at Featherway. So I'm going to say Volcanowski holds the title at December 31st, 2023. Damon, you see it that way as well? Yeah, and that's my other lock. I'm going to go with Alexander Volcanowski. For two reasons. One, I do think he is going to lose Deslai Makachev, which is going to send him back to

Featherweight. And while I do, you know, I have a tremendous amount of respect for Josh Emmett and Yaya Rodriguez. guys, I don't think either one of them are going to beat Alexander Volkanowski. I think those are both winnable fights for him. I think Emmett actually has a better chance against Volkanowski than Yair does, but I don't know that Emma beats Yair, which is a weird one. So like if he loses to Yair, I think Yair just gets worked by Volkanowski.

I think it looks like the Korean zombie fight. He gets beat up for four rounds and finished. I just don't think Yair can hang with a guy like Volkanovsky. And Emmett, you know, may make it a little bit of a tougher fight. But again, I just think I think that's really where I come down to Volkanowski. I think Volcanovsky is incredible. And I agree with Jose. I think I'll hear it.

I think Ilya is probably the one guy out there. I would say, ooh, that's a really interesting fight. A guy who could beat Alexander Volkanowski if he could go five rounds. But I just don't think we're going to see that title fight this year. I think we're going to see Volk lose to Islam and then return to 1.45 and he beats Emmett or Yair. And that's probably the only other title fight we get this year. So, again, I have a lot of faith in Volkanowski, but I just think process of elimination makes it too hard to see anyone beating him this year and taking that title. So Volcanowski, and that's my second lock.

What about you, Jed? Volcanovsky, it's also my second lock. For all the reasons they said, just, I mean, not all the reasons, but the biggest one being he's going to fight Islam, he's going to lose, going to come back down. And he exists in this very fortunate circumstance where he gets to fight either Josh Imit or Yaira Rodriguez. I think both of those are just great matchups for him.

I think Volk is about to fall off. We're not going to know until years later. that 2022 was the peak Volk. 2023 is when we start to get the decline, but because he's going to lose to Islam and no one's going to really be like, oh, it's the baked-in excuse of losing to the heavier dude, and he's going to beat Yair or Josh Emmett.

We won't realize it. He will lose his belt early 2024 to the actual toughest test for him, Arnold Allen. Arnold's just not going to get that shot this year. If you guaranteed me, Arnold Allen was going to get a title fight by the end of the year, Volk would fight three times, I would take on it Allen. But since I'm pretty sure we're just getting two out of out of the featherweight champ

and one of them's a lightweight, Volk is the choice. And I'm locking him in. Yeah, Volcanovsky, sneaky old in a way. Very old. Like he's going to be. That's why I think last year was the peak because it was so good. And he is, this just can't hold up. You don't age, people age like bread in the lighter weight divisions.

To me, I see exactly how both. of you guys, Damon and Jinn, how you've laid it out, because the real intrigue to me, does it even start until after we get this Emmett Rodriguez fight out of the way and then whatever that title defense would be. That feels almost perfunctory because I think we all said it. Like, Volk will beat either of those guys. But then the floodgates open, right? Then it's the Arnold Allen. Then it's the Ilyat Toporia. Then it's the Movesare of Loya. Then we start talking about some real contenders that I think could actually do some damage to Volcanowski, especially catching him on the downslide. As we said, it'll be 35 at the end of the

But yeah, I'm making a unanimous two unanimous divisions in a row now, Alexander Volcanowski. And really interesting to see our first two unanimous divisions are actually the guys fighting each other here in February between Islam and Volk. Also, can I just shout out Damon for also being with me on taking the locks and the unanimous weight classes instead of firing them off for some other risky ones? Just give me the two easiest weight class to predict. Lock it in. Smart work.

I mean, smart work, cowards work. I'll leave that to you, the listener, to decide. Either way, let's jump to the Bantamweight Division. This is a division that a little bit of a monkey wrench thrown into it earlier this week, or this past week, I guess, depending on when you're listening to it, with Al Jemaine Sterling. And we don't know now torn bicep, not really sure when we'll get him back. Maybe we end up with an interim title fight.

Somewhat of a backlog already created here with Henry Sohudo, Sean O'Malley, Cheeto Vera, who's about to fight as well. Jed, where'd you go with this? I hate myself for this one because I don't like this man. I'm very unhappy to do this. But it's probably honestly the most confident I feel out of most of these aside for my two locks. It's Henry Suhudo. At some point, Al Jemaine Sterling is going to fight him.

God knows why. I don't know why we're doing this, but we are for whatever reason. I think Shihud is a really tough fight for Sterling. And then Suhudo is not going to fumble the bag. Sterling has just punted away. from him. If he fights two times this year, he's for sure going to fight Sean O'Malley. And bloody, that's going to be a bad night for Sean O'Malley. So Sohudo will have the belt. And then he will never fight at Bantamweight again. He will just hold on to the Bantamweight belt

while desperately trying to fight Alexander Volcanovsky and being the worst person in the sport. So I'm sad to say it, but Henry Suhudo is your 2023 Bannamweight champion. the worst person in the sport is a very lofty title right now with how this year has started the worst person strictly in the confines of the sport of of looking only at their effect on the sporting aspect of the sport not at anything else because you're right that would have been a big statement but there is no in cage and their ramifications of their in cage actions fighter that i dislike more than than Henry Suhudo. What do you think, Jose?

Are you also going with the worst person in the sport? I had even considered Henry Suhudo until right now. I was going to pick Corey Sanhagen, but now I'm probably going to just pick Henry Suhudo based solely off of the math that Jed said. I think Jedd, like, I think Henry beats Al Jermaine Sterling and then he fights Sean O'Malley for the, like, the much bigger, like, in terms of prize fighting,

Sean O'Malley is the fight. In terms of competitiveness, I think the Aljo fight. is better. I just think Henry SchuHito beats both of them. And like Jed said, he's not going to fight at Bannon-Wa-Wa-Wa-Water, ever again unless somehow Marlon Verro beats Cori's Han-Hen-Higand-Hig, which I don't think he's going to do. And then they just talk all that greeciness in two languages. And then Henry Suhdo gets entice to fight Marlon and Vare. Then maybe he fights at Bannon-Wa-Wade again. But I still think Henry Sih-Hu-Hood holds the Bannam-Wight title, and he is going to be insufferable if that happens.

Yeah. The key is he's going to learn from his mistake. His mistake was retiring and thinking he could leverage more money. And instead, he's not going to retire. He is going to hold the belt and try to use that to leverage the things that he wants. Like, oh, I retired and they just waved goodbye at me. That was dumb. I should just hostage situation, this Bannon Way title and see where that gets me.

It's going to suck, man. It's going to suck so hard. Oh, my God. dark times being forecasted here at 135. Damon, are you joining in on this? Man, I thought I was going to have an edgier pick going with Henry Sehudo, but I'm also going to Henry Sehudo. And, you know, originally when I did my podcast with Matt Brown,

I actually said, I think Al Jermaine can beat Henry. And I stand by that. I think he can beat Henry, but will he beat Henry? I don't know. Here's the problem. I think with Al Jermaine now dealing with this bice and the knowledge that's out there, the UFC just seems to demonstrably not enjoy Algeman Sterling. I feel like they're going to end up booking Henry and Sean O'Malley

for an interim title in like March April because they want to they want they need fights like like they need big fights for March and April you know we're already talking about maybe Usman doesn't come back in March and so there's the the London car what's going to happen so they need fights and Suhudo and O'Malley is a sellable fight and I agree with Jed I think Sehudo works O'Malley and then I think it's Suhudo and Algeman at the end of the year and I'm just going to I'm just going to go by a process of elimination here and say I think Sehudo beats Aljimane and ends up being champion by the end of the year because I just don't Again, I'm with, I'm with Jose on that one too.

I think Corey San Hagan beats Marlon Vera. And then I don't think they're going to give San Hagan another title shot right away. And, you know, there's just not, there's just not, you know, they're not. I mean, Piotr-Yon hasn't booked a fight yet. So who's he going to come back and fight? We don't know. I don't think he's going to get anywhere near a title shot this year. So, yeah, I'm going to go as soon as well.

And I think it's because he's going to eliminate Sean O'Malley ahead of time. And then he's going to fight now in October, you know, November, somewhere around there and Andy, Andy Defense, Belt, reunifies the belt, how everyone says it, and then remains champions. I think that's how it's going to roll. Wow, I did not expect such a Sohudo Love Fest in this conversation.

I'm not going to lie. Sehudo also sneaky old. Man's going to be 36 next month. He will be the oldest UFC bantamweight champion ever if he wins that belt. That is a division that is not kind to old men. And he's kind of right up there. Like he kind of, that age window might have slept

or crept right past him while he's been out. I'm stunned that I'm the only one going chalk on this. I have doubted Al Jermaine Sterling every step of the way I've picked against him pretty much every fight. I just can't do it anymore. Man just keeps proving me wrong every single time. And with the way that this injury is going to play out, I bet he only has to defend once in this 2023 campaign.

I think he could do it. I think he can continue to just surprise people. It seems like we just sleep on him every time out. And I'm sure he's going to be an underdog. Because I agree. I think he will fight Sehudo if it's Sehudo, Shiger Sean. I think he's going to be the underdog for that. And I think once again, he's going to come out on a little victory parade,

just shoving it into people's faces and Twitter, which is what he seems to be to enjoy doing, I should say. So I'm going chalk. I'm going with the champ, Al Jermaine Sterling. Let's keep it moving, though, to men's flyweight, which is low key might be one of the most interesting divisions here this coming year. 2023, men's 25 looks like it might be on fire, depending on what matchups we end up getting.

Damon, where'd you go with this? This is a tough one because, you know, my heart of hearts like obviously you know I feel like we're going to see you know figurato merino 19 by the end of the year so you know pick one of them but I'm gonna I'm gonna I'm gonna I'm gonna go against the odds and say that Devis and figurato beats Brandon Moreno in January and holds on to the title and then we finally get some new blood near the top of that division the problem is is like you know I think Alexandra Pintosha is a really fun fighter he's guy who probably deserves it matthias Nicolaos out there guy who another guy who deserves it but I'm gonna throw

just a huge curveball here and I'm bad this is probably my least confident pick but I got to pick somewhere to throw up an upset somewhere and just say hey this guy comes out of nowhere and wins a title because that kind of stuff happens in this sport and I'm going to go with Manel cop as my out of nowhere

pick because he got Alex Perez and Alex Perez the top five guy I think he beats Alex Perez now yes he does have the loss to Pantosia so again his and and you know he has a fight with Nicolao so it's a harder road for him to get there but I just think that If Figuero wins in January, I don't think he's going to fight again for a little while, and they're going to want to shake things out.

If Cop beats Perez, I think they could end up doing the rematch somewhere down there. And I just, I don't know. This division has been weird and funky. We've had 19 rematches already. I just, I'm throwing out a random weird one because he got this Perez fight, you know, because another guy got injured. So maybe it happens again, Pantosia, you know, gets snake bitten again and he doesn't get a title shot. And, and Mattias Nicolaal gets snake bitten and he doesn't get a title shot. Menel Cop is, in my opinion,

one of the most exciting guys of the division, and who wouldn't want to watch Manel Cop and Devis and Figurato throwdown? 125. It's just so good right now. I didn't even consider a cop, but, I mean, you made a compelling case. Jose, what do you think?

This is the, I think to me this is the hardest division to pick solely because this is obviously we have like the unprecedented fourth fight between Figurato Morano. It's the first pay-per-view of the year. So of all the, divisions, this could probably have the most title fights, only because it's starting earlier.

Figuero has also talked a lot about going up to Bantamway. So even if he beats Moreno and wins this quadrology, whatever you want to call it, I don't know if he ends the year in the flyweight division. Pantoja is pretty much locked in as the next man up for the next title shot, just a matter of who he's going to fight. And then as Mateus Nicolao, has he even resigned with the UFC? I'm sure he will, but I know his last fight was the end of his contract. So he should be fighting like the Brandon Royvelle or an Amir al-Bazi,

and Pantosia should be fighting for the title with between the, I'm just going to assume Figueroero, Moreno, Figueroero Stays a Flyaway for the sake of argument. I'm going to have to say Figueroeroero just solely because I think he beats Moreno. I think he can beat Pantosia, and I don't know if Nicolao and whoever will get in another time. title shot. So if we're talking 2020, I think flyweight, 2024 is going to be super interesting because Amir al-Bazi, Manel Kopp, and Mohamed Mahayev are all names I see fighting for the title at

some point, just not this year. So next year will be incredibly interesting once we get through this log jam of contenders. But I'm just going to say Figurado, just process of elimination, just because I think he's the best of the top five right now. There's the first Muhammad in my hive mentioned i was waiting to see if someone would bring him up for this jed where you at with this i'm on the path from a hive needs needs too many fights not going to happen yeah exactly loving this because you guys are just giving me a free point again i i can't speak for you sheen but just i think we're probably aligned actually freely handing me brandon more than merino the best flyweight in the world who's about to fight for the title it's this one feels i'm more confident

this than most of the other ones I've had. I almost put this as a lock. He's going to beat Figgie. He finished him once before, probably should have gotten the win in their third fight. Even if he didn't, that fight clearly defined to me like, well, a hell

of a performance from Figuero, changed his game plan up, brought something new, but he is now no longer working with the tools he has. He's having to throw his off-speed pitches and find ways to win. And Moreno's only getting better. Dude's not even 30. we talked about, you know, it's rough to bet Sohudo who's about to be 37 or whatever,

abandon weight. Figgy's almost 36 at flyweight. Like this ain't. Moreno feels so good to me here. The way he dismantled Kycaro France, who everybody was so high on, he's the best flyweight in the world, man. I know, I know Ali Pants has two wins over him. Moreno's going to get that revenge. And there's just, nobody's coming at him right now, man.

Nobody's coming at the soon to be new king. The only reason I am not so high in Morano right now is he does not have his head coach and James Krause right now and he's flying all the way to Brazil, which is tough. As a great point. To fly all the together to basically switch your head coach in the middle of camp and then fly to Hostel territory in the middle of a political nightmare where like the whole country is on fire. It's not, it's why I'm not as confident as if this fight was just in Las Vegas. I think Moreno could be the best.

Jose, are you saying you're betting against Brandon Moreno since he lost James Krause? Let me make my joke there. Are you betting against Rana? As a man of Christ, I no longer bet. That's not true. I just don't bet a gentleman. Look, I'm not saying you're wrong, but it doesn't matter. Brandon Miranda is best there is, best there was, best there ever will be.

Just give it to him. him, give him the belt, and he's going to hold on to it forever and ever. I'm stunned. I'm the only one going Pantosia. This to me felt like one of the more confident picks of this whole year for me. Like, this man has been waiting. He has been basically the champion, the uncrown champion is division in my eyes for a while now. And whoever mentioned Figuero's age, I think that's very valid.

Like, I don't know how many fights he has left at 125. And also just like, he's going to be on the decline sooner rather than later. Like, this might be the year he just falls off. because we've seen it at flyweight. Like once you fall off, you fall off a cliff. I'm going Pantoja. He feels like a lot. If I had another lock, I might use it for this.

I feel so confident in this man's ability to capture this 125 pound title. And he probably should have been champion already had he been able to get this opportunity. I think if I was going to say, if Figurato does be Moreno and then bounces, I think it's, I think he, if he wins, he's already beat Pantosia. And that's one of the, and that is an incredibly underrated fight. That was on like the prelim card of that. UFC 240 in Edmonton, and then Pantosia already has the win over Moreno. I know it was on the ultimate fighter or whatever, but Figueroa wins and he's like 30, whatever, and he bounces up to Bannonowit, it's going to be because he just doesn't want

to rematch Pantosia for sure, not because he's scared, but because like how is you going to top that performance that you had in Edmonton? You're 100% right. That's a low-key underrated banger. Like, that is a great, great fight. If you haven't seen it, go back and look at that. But all right, that's the men's divisions. We have four left to go in the women's divisions.

And I think these are probably going to go pretty fast. Let's just show of hands. Does anybody not have a man of noons for 145? Is there a 145 division? I mean, I don't have 145 written downs. So I guess by definition I don't because I don't think, can I get extra points if I predict that we close this division?

Ooh. I was about to throw that out. Does the show of hands? Does anybody predicted that there is no champion at 145 by the end of the year? That will count. as long as as Amanda Nunes holds the Bantanway title Dana will continue letting her

hold a second title just for the just for the sake of just for the sake of promoting her as a two division champion and I think that's why it sticks around only for that reason because they're just going to let her continue to hold two belts they continue because they got to find a way to promote Amanda Nunes at this point and it sure ain't going to be by the level

of talent she's facing at Bantanway so might as well say here's our two division most dominant champion ever and And also they can continue to call scoreboard over Cyborg over in Bellator as a featherweight champion. But oh, yeah, you got a featherweight champion. Well, our featherweight champion smoked your featherweight champion. So I don't think that division is going to go away. But I don't think she'll fight at 145 this year.

I'm going to say the division closes down. Look at this. I'm taking that option. You guys gave me some free points with your very bad choices. So I'll give you one with mine. Here's the pitch. And this has made me sort of determined the next two, choices, which I was a little on, I was still waffling a bit on.

I think the outlook for Bannam weight looks like this. I know we're talking about featherweight, bear with me. Kettlen Vieira is about to fight Rocky Peniton. If Ketlandvier can get past Rocky Pendington, super not confident she can, but let's say she does. She's an extra noons at 135. And then that's it. There is not another person on the planet who can challenge Mananunas. Who else is it?

There's Shevchenko. There's like, there's the Penn, the Penn A trilogy or whatever. There's Viera. I think what's going to happen. We're going to get Vieira Nunes. Then after that, in the interim, we're going to get, Shevchenko is going to face off with the winner of Blanchefield, Tyler Santos.

Schochenko is going to win it. We are finally going to get Nunes Chivchenko 3. And winner lose. At this point, I'm leaning when Amanda Nunes is going to walk away. 34. She has nobody else to fight just functionally. Certainly nothing left to prove. She beat Shevchenko in the trilogy match. She walks away as a two-division champion on top, the goat, etc.

I think she's retiring by the end of the year. And the moment she retires, 145 is removed from the UFC website. And we are done with this whole charade. So Amanda Nunes is going to retire. They're going to close 145. That's my pick. Look at that. Look at that.

All right. So three for Noonez and one for that division's not even going to exist anymore. And Jed, that was a perfect segue to Bantamweight. I'll just again throw it out. Show of hands. Anybody not taking Amanda Nunes other than Jed here? That would be me.

I am not taking Amanda Nunes. Okay. So you said other than I guess, oh, I guess she's not a champion if I, if she retires, right? Yeah, you just laid out that you're picking Shepchenko, right? No, let me think about it. But please go to Damon.

Well, that's what I'm. That's what I'm going with. I'm going with the Chevy truck. I'm going with Valentina Shepchenko, who's the 135, and she finally beats Amanda Nunes and becomes a two-division champion because that division is a wasteland. No one, let me repeat, no one wants to see Ketland Vieira and Amanda Nunes. I'm sorry.

I don't care if Kettlen Vier looks incredible against Rocky Pennington. No one wants to see. There's not a single person on earth besides maybe Ketland Vierra's family who wants to see that fight with Amanda Nade. the Nune. No one. So they're going to go, at some point, they're going to go with the only choice that's available. And that's Valentina Shubchenko. They didn't do the rematch with Tyler Santos. Yes, they're doing the Blanchfield fight. It clearly looks like they're just holding Chowcinko for something to happen. And I think the Nunes, the Nunes fight is the one out there.

And I think she beats Nunes this time. And then at that point, she just holds onto the titles and just continuously randomly beats people because there's no one at Bantankewate. It's weird to say this. there's no one at Bantaway to fight Valentina Shochinko. I think there's tougher fights for a flyweight. But yeah, I'm going to go with Valentina Shuchenko defeats Amanda Nunes and becomes a two-division champ in the only fight that would even be remotely interesting at Bantamite this year. I'm going to adjust my answer very slightly on this to say I also think there will be no champion. So I think Nunes is going to beat Chupchenko, but she's going to retire. So there will be a vacant spot at the top because that's going to happen.

and later in the year, wow. At that point, at that point, we should just get rid of Bantam weight and featherweight because there's nobody in either. They should, but they won't get rid of Bantam weight. So Nunes retires, I don't think they'll have enough time to put a new Bannumweight title together. I'm trying to figure my timelines out here.

So we're doing a whole predictions competition and Jett is picking no champion for two divisions. I love it. Because that fight is going to happen in MSG in November. They're going to do Nunes. Chonko 3, MSG in November, Nunes retires after it, and we're done. That's it.

I'm locked in now. I mean, Jose, it's sitting there on the table for you if you want to. Where are you going with this? I'm a man of news is going to be champion at the end of the year. I don't think she's going to retire. I also think Valentina is going to fight Alexa Grasso next in Mexico. So whether, like, I don't know. That's another tough fight.

And then even if Tyler Santos wins, that's another tough fight for Valentin. I think Valentin is going to have two title fights at Flyweight. Is Alexa Grosso a tough fight? Are we really going to pretend to Lexa Gras is a tough fight? Yeah, she's a tough fight. So I'll say Amanda Nunes holds both belts at the end of the year, and then maybe we talk about her retiring next year,

but I just think Valenzhen, and then there's Manon Faro that also wants to fight Valentin. I think Valentina herself, if you go watch the post-fight press conferences at MMAFighting.com shot by me, Valentina Sheschenko says she is much closer to straw weight. than flyweight right now. So I don't think this year she's going to go up to abandon weight. Next year, maybe, but not this year.

And I still think a man who holds bolts belts at the end of the year. Yeah, but I just think there's a little more fights for Valentina to have before she goes up. And everyone keeps forgetting about Irene Alda. No one's talked about Irina Aldana, Dona, possibly fighting for the title. She has not fought a man in Nunes, and they've been trying to make that fight forever. Irrena just gets insane bouts of COVID, like three times in a year. and then she also absolutely melted Catlin Vietta and one of the best female knockouts you'll ever see

and then had that real weird knockout against Macy Chazen. I think Irane will probably fight for the title at some point because they have really wanted her to fight for the title. They might just force her into that fight. But does she fight for 1.45? Wait, the weight issues. She'll fight one. Irene will fight at 135.

And I think eventually she'll fight Amanda, just solely because like the UFC really wants he running in a title shot because they want to build that. The problem is Arena got worked by Holly Holm. Like she got worked badly in that file. Like Holly beat her out badly. She got beat real bad. And I'm not saying that she would have won if this hadn't happened, but she was still recovering from one of the wars about to COVID you'll ever hear. Like she could barely breathe on the treadmill.

So and that was in the middle of the bubble. So if they rematch, obviously they rematch now Holly's older and just lost to Catalan. If all that aside, I still want to see that rematch at some point, but I still think the UFC will just force you running into the title shot. I'm totally cool with it. Doesn't matter. Amanda's retiring. That's also why I think the Schoenko,

that's why I'm going to Schochenko thing. Well, I do think Schochenko has more challenges at Flyweight. I think this is probably the time for her to get that because she may not get another shot. Like I think we all kind of unanimously agree. Amanda Nunes, the clock is ticking on her career. Like, she doesn't have much time left. and I think they want to get that trilogy. Because it is legitimately one of the only truly sellable fights

in either division that would actually get people to tune in and maybe help sell a pay-per-view. Like, Shevich, I, listen, you'll never, you'll not find a bigger Valentina Chichinco fan than me. But Valentina Chowcino-Cholinko does not sell pay-per-views. They might sell some tickets in Mexico, but then she just absolutely works Alexa Grasso. No one's going to pay for Mano Fiore.

Blanchfield, to me, is the best prospect of division. but even if she beats Tylos, I don't know they're just going to rush her right into a title shot. I think the time is ticking, that sand in the hourglass is running out and ever doing Noon Chocinco 3. So I think that's why we're going to see it this year. So two things. One, I'm taking the layup with Jose.

I can't believe you guys have left us these free points. It's Amanda Nunes for me at 135 at the end of this year. She's still going to be in it. She's younger than Valentina, I believe. And just also, like, I do think they are going to fight for a third time. And I would pick Amanda to win that fight for a third time. But second, the way that we, the difference in the way that we talk about Amanda compared to Valentina is really interesting to me. A lot of the Amanda is at the end of the road. Amanda's going to retire a conversation.

Do you all know how long Valentina's been in this? Like what year do you think this is for Valentina, Shevchango? This is not one. She's been doing since she was, what, 17? She's been kickboxing. So we're on like. This is year 20. Let's say we're a year at 19 or 20.

Yeah. This is year 20 for Valentina. But the way they talk is very different. Nudas has talked about like doing the family thing and thing. Whereas Chavchenko seems like she doesn't have any interests other than dancing, shooting, and beating the fuck out of people. And it's like the only thing she wants to do. So like she's going to do this until she's 50 as far as I'm concerned.

And let's not forget. But at some point. Valentina is hyper motivated. And if you remember, like when she had when she had that fight with Jennifer Maya and everyone's like she lost the round. Oh my God. Valentina lost a round to Jennifer Maya. And then she comes out and assassinates Jess Gondraj,

who legitimately might be the second best flyweight in the world, just absolutely demolishes her. I think she went into that fight with Tyler Santos with a hurt foot, which was ridiculous of an idea to go in there and do that. But I think she's going to come out just guns blazing this year. And she's going to wreck Alexa Grosso. That's end up being like Alexa Grosso is going to be contemplating strawweight again after that fight. And then I think she gets to.

title shot. And again, I think they're just in two different directions. Amanda has one foot out the door and Valentina wants revenge. And I think that's why I would pick Valentina to beat her. Year 20. Like I understand she's a crazy, you know, hypermotivated, immensely talented individual, but at a certain point, your body doesn't care how much motivation you have. Year 20. Like, I don't know, man. She should, she probably would have lost that Tali Los Santos fight had Tila not gotten hurt mid fight. Like that is. I heard of my head kick mid fight. Yeah.

Yeah, but Leon Edwards were the last. He had to get deuced me in the face. That's a little different, though. You know that because the way that her sort of face blew up, like that's not, you can't guarantee that's going to happen every time. That's a result of the damage she took in the fight, though. It's not like she had, it's like an iPod happened.

Hey, look, Valentino won the fight. I'm not arguing that she's not. She didn't win the fight. I'm just saying there are cracks in the armor starting to show a little bit. Look, sometimes you don't have your best game. Sometimes you let Marvin. Harrison Jr. go for 400 receiving yards on you, but you survive your

opponent's best shot because you're just the best, and then you're the champion. It happens to people all the time. Sorry, David. I just, I find it interesting. I know I like to sit down there for David Harrison really stains because I just don't want to get into it. I just don't want to get into it, but yeah.

Go dogs. Go dogs. Go dogs. I just find the way we talk, the difference in the way we talk about these two women to be very, very interesting considering they're basically at the same point in their careers and valentina's actually been in it a little bit longer either way i'm going to manda for 135 we'll move to 125 does anybody not have valetina for 125 no i have that resounding silence that resounding silence says it all i think that we all like some of the talent

sheen let me let me just say did you imagine that probably our most pat our most passionate argument would be over the women's banter way division like that's where we got the most heated talking about women's way it's the marquee division of the sport they fought a total of like 43 times 2020 2020 is just full of surprises by then all right so that resounding silence was means everyone here is going for chefchenko i think we all like the talent coming up here at 125 but it all feels like it's a year away from from maybe coming to fruition right especially there and like man's fly away aspect of this division yeah uh it should be it should be interesting though we don't know Last one up, straw weight.

And this is, I honestly struggle with this, maybe the most. Out of any of these divisions, this feels, I just don't know how often the title's going to be defended. I don't know who's going to get that opportunity. I don't know if they're going to stretch outside of this rock paper scissors that they've been doing forever between these same three or four women. Jed, start us off. Where did you go with this? It wasn't that tough for me. Call it recency bias.

Maybe it is, but I think Wiley Zhang's a best fighter in this. Division, one of the best fighters in the world. The way, I know Yonani and J. Chick retired after it, but the way she just disrespected the goat like that in the cage, that is, that felt like a turning the corner moment. Because even when she was champion, I wasn't a huge, like, I wasn't all the way there. It was just because she had some lacklost of performances. And it was just like, yeah, she out physical Jessica Androge, that's unbelievable, but need to see more.

Then she has the fight of all time with Yohan. Lana's like, all right, she's got, she's got grip, but she still needs to work on some stuff. Then the Rose stuff happens. And I'm like, okay, well, that's just going to be the tail of her. Comes back and she's, she's putting it all together in a way that really portends tough ass times ahead for the rest of the straw weights. I think she's just it right now. She is the most physically impressive.

Her game plans have been on point. Carlos Sparza, for as much crap as I've given her, Rose didn't go out there and treat Carlis Barser like some rookie and Wiley Zhang just just um just ruined her ruined her so give me Zhang thinks she's the best in the world. Jose, you agree with that? Yeah, I think Waley Zhang is going to be the champion at the end of the year and that is going to be my final lock. I just don't see anyone in this top like Jessica Andrade is obviously the wild card but Justin Andrade is fighting that flyweight in a couple weeks. If I correct against Lauren Murphy and Brazil, So it's a toss-up if she even comes to straw weight.

If she does drop back down to straw weight, I think she's the only person in this top 10 that I think could give Zhang Wei-League problems. Obviously, Carla just lost. She's lost to Rose twice. The second one was much closer, but I don't think they're going to toss Rose into a title fight. Or if Rose even fights in 2023,

Mandelamos just don't see it. And like I said, Jessica And Drodd, I think, is the only one in this top 10, top five, that would give Zhang Wiley any sort of issues, and I still would, and Jane Wally already beat her. So I think, Zhang Wili, I can confidently say, we'll hold the title at the end of the year.

And that is my final lock. I am bookending with the heavy weights and the straw weights for my two locks. I like it. Also, you are the only one courageous enough not to go with one of either Islam or Volcanowski. So I love the adventures. Because I'm not a jabroney, so I'm going to have fun with it. I have two division champion. I feel like I had plenty of fun today.

You also pick two divisions to not have a champion. Lots of fun in my. I'm going to go champion in the year. I'm going to go with Rosamami Yunis because they love giving Rose Namuas title shots. And as much as I think that as much as I think that I would love to see some new blood get title shots, no one has really stood out. I mean, Amanda Limos is probably the top person, but I don't think she could be. beat Zhang Wei Lee and listen in my heart of hearts since jess gandrash has the best chance but she won't stay in the division like she's left and now she's fighting lorn murphy in like a top five

fight of flyweight so like if she had stuck around and maybe got that trilogy with rose which would be really interesting like go out there and do that one one more time and then she fights jangway lia i might give her a chance but jess gondraj just won't stick in one division so they by process of elimination with that one and they love giving rose title shots i mean they love giving her title shots and she's already being Jane twice. I'm going to go with Rose Namu Yunus because I think they're going to look at the division and say, do we really want to make Amanda Lehmotioch and Zhang Wei?

Yeah, okay, what about Zhang Wei Lee and Rose 3? Okay, I like that fight. Let's go with that and then Rose wins again. And so I'm going to Rose Namuonis as champion by the end of the year, only because, again, all the other people who could have had, like Marina Rodriguez ended up losing, McKenzie Dern has never lived up quite to her potential yet. All these other fighters who we looked at and said,

maybe they'll get there. They haven't gotten there. it's back to where we're at the old standard. Man. See, this was tough for me because I wanted, I initially, my initial knee jerk was Rose, right? For all the reasons you mentioned, they love giving her title shots.

She's already up to O'Hon, on Zhang. I just don't know if they love giving her title shots anymore, right? Like, I feel like whatever the stain from that last one was, that has to have some effect on this moving forward. Like, you cannot be so urgent to want to throw this woman back into the title picture right away. I even see it just in the fan. reaction to Rose anything these days. Like you throw out any Rose post or any Rose commentary,

and it feels like people are a little colder on her, a little more tepid than they were before that Carla rematch. Maybe that's just me. Maybe that's just, you know, projection by me. But it feels like if I'm the UFC, I am not Russian in any capacity to throw this woman back into the title shot. And also, like, I just don't know. I can't trust Rose to even compete in a 2023, to be honest.

Like this woman is so all over the place in terms of what she wants, whether she wants to keep doing this, how motivated she is at any given time, it's just too much of a wild card for me, whereas I'm with you other two fellas. Zhang feels like the best in this division. She has proven time and time again that she is just able to the rise to the occasion. I just, this division is a complete toss-up to me in terms of who's going to end up getting shots, how many shots we're going to get. I just go with the safe pick.

I'm going with Shang. And that wraps us up in terms of the 12 UFC. divisions for 2023. So just quick recap here. Our two locks. Jed went Volk Islam. Damon also went Volk Islam, featherweight and lightweight.

Of course, these two men fighting here in February. I went Islam and Hamzot at 170. And then Jose, I love it. Just doing stuff. Just kind of doing whatever he wants out here going. John Jones at Headway. I am rarely on these shows, so I might as well make it memorable.

I love it. John Jones and Wiley Zhang. he said, bookending, heaviest and lightest divisions. And there it is. There's our predictions for the UFC champions for 2023. Send us yours. Let's have some fun. Let's make a little competition out of this.

And I appreciate you, as always, fellas and listeners out there listening to this. Thank you guys. We love you. For Jed Mishu, Damon Martin, Jose Young's, I am Sean O'Shaughney. This has been M.M.A. Fighting. Keep it locked to the M.A Fighting Podcast Network. We'll see you soon. Love you guys.

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