MMA Fighting - BTL | Nate Diaz Asks For UFC Release, UFC Columbus Fallout, Championship Predictions, More

Episode Date: April 1, 2022

UFC star Nate Diaz is frustrated to not have a fight on the books and has requested his release from the promotion. Now what? That topic will be discussed amongst the panel this week on a brand new edition of Between the Links, along with predictions in regards to if Diaz will fight in 2022, and if so, against whom. In addition, the panelists will talk the big wins from Curtis Blaydes and Kai Kara-France at UFC Columbus this past Saturday and which of the two could find themselves in a championship bout first, how many titles could change hands in the six championship bouts between next Saturday’s #UFC273 card, and June’s UFC 275 event in Singapore, and more.  Host Mike Heck moderates the matchup between Eric “New York Ric” Jackman and Conner “GC” Burks.  Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Eric Jackamn: @NewYorkRic Follow Conner Burks: @connerburks 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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From MMA Fighting Studios, this is Between the Links. And now, your host, my... The iconic voice of Esther Lynn, welcomes you to a brand new edition of Between the Links. Hope everyone is having a lovely week. Hope everyone has big plans on the weekend without a UFC telecast for the first time in a long time as we prepare ourselves for UFC 273.

next Saturday night in Jacksonville, Florida. What an event it will be. We'll talk a lot about 273 next week on the show and throughout all of our programming on MMA fighting. A lot of big fights in that card. Some rivalries will be settled on a big stage. But let me just say this. There is not a fight on that card.

Not one single fight on that card, a rivalry, if you will, on that card that even holds a candle to the one that will be featured on this here program today. One of the biggest non-title match and the history of BTL. Let's get right into it. Let us introduce the participants first. Making his BTL debut.

You see him twice a week on the MMA hour, giving his picks, shouting out all the big wins of the week from an MMA betting's perspective. Let us welcome to the program. Mr. G.C. himself, Connor Burks. How are you, sir? Welcome to the program.

I'm doing fantastic, Mike. Thank you for having me. When you first invited me, I was really excited. I wanted to come on. when you told me who was going to be against, at that point I needed to come on. I love it. And his opponent, an MMA hour mainstay.

I mean, the man has his own freaking theme song on the show for crying out loud. Also, one of the legends behind the MMA fighting social media squad is who welcome back. Eric, New York, Rick Jackman, to the show. How are you, sir? I'm good, Mike. Thanks for having me. I'll note that that iconic theme song, the most legendary theme song there is, was created by you and I thank you for that.

I think we even did a little good for charity with it. So how about us? How about us? How about us? The rivalry begins. Look at this. Whoever would have thought it. We saw them side by side on the MA hour.

They were debating about the slap herd around the world, but now we're going to debate some topics in the world of mixed martial arts. So let's get into this thing. And let's begin with one Nate Diaz because he has been a big topic of conversation over the last couple of months, more so over the last five or six days, because on Saturday, Diaz takes to Twitter and tells the UFC and tells the world, I want out, I want you to release me. I have asked you many times to fight.

I've wanted to fight ASAP and you're just not giving it to me. So get me out of here. Now, Connor, let's begin with you because we all know the UFC is not going to release Nate Diaz, although they should, especially if they don't have anything for him right now. But when you saw him take to Twitter on Saturday and say, flat out, I want to be released, how did you react? What did you think he was trying to accomplish with that tweet? Knowing full well, he's not going to get released.

Yeah, first and foremost, I think my reaction was the fact that he tagged at Hunter, you know, in lieu to Hunter Campbell. I thought that was fantastic stuff. And then at Hunter, who doesn't even know who Nate Diaz is, comes into the comments in full support of Nate Diaz. So just from there, I thought this was incredible stuff. My knee-jerk reaction is just like, I don't know what's going to happen with this situation. I don't know what he's trying to accomplish by always going to Twitter.

he clearly just wants to get a fight. And I don't think the UFC is going to release him, like you said, but I do think he's going to fight for the UFC at some point in this year. At some point in 2022, I think Nate Diaz does fight, maybe even his last fight in the UFC. Eric, Nate Diaz has not gotten the credit he has deserved in terms of, quote, playing the game, right? The guy has actually been one of the very best of playing the game.

A phenomenal chess player from a business sense, even though he kind of comes off much different. But what does this latest move in the chess game that is negotiating with the UFC? What does that say to you knowing that you can put it out there, put out the release, but it ain't going to happen 99.9%. Yeah, this is what NADES has in his arsenal, though. He is able to put public pressure on the UFC

because behind the scenes, he's locked into a contract that he's not going to be able to get out of and UFC is going to hold him to. They're also going to play the game where they offer him fights that he's going to turn down. That's then going to extend his contract. There's a certain level caliber of fighter that Nate Diaz wants to fight right now, fights that make sense for him. And they're not offering him those fights.

So this is what he has. He has the ability to go to Twitter and put public pressure on the UFC to say, hey, I want this fight. And for what it's worth, he seems to have support from Dustin Porier, Jake Paul, many others who can also put pressure on the UFC. So this is all he's got and he's maximizing what he's able to do with it. Do I ultimately think it will lead to his release? No.

Do I ultimately think he will fight for the UFC in 2022? Yes. But in the meantime, he's using the only hand that he can play and doing it effectively. Yeah, I mean, both of you believe he's going to fight. I mean, he's got one fight left on the steel. UFC clearly wants to keep him around because why wouldn't you? They don't need to keep him around,

but they want to keep him around because why send him over to Jake Paul's promotion and just have him box and make a gajillion dollars? They obviously want to extend him before he says yes to whatever fight. And Nate doesn't seem all that interesting in doing that right now and extending his one-fight deal

and making it five fights or what have you. And they won't even give him the fight with Dustin Poirier. Like literally everybody seems to want that fight. Fighters want it. Fans want it. the media wants it. Everybody seems to want this fight. Everybody seems to be on board, but the UFC. So New York, Crick, you think he's coming back. You think he will fight in 2020. But how confident are you in that? Like, one to ten, are you like a six? Are you higher than that? Like, do you think we will definitely see him in 2022? How confident are you?

Yeah, I'm fairly confident because I think they're at a stalemate. And I think there's one thing you said, I'd push back a little bit against, which is that they don't want to give him the fight. I think they want to give him Dustin Porriere. I think they just just want him to resign on a new deal before they do that. I don't think they have any problem. They dropped Dustin Porriere into his lap if you'd re-sign a new deal. I think ultimately he will. I think ultimately he'll just see his career and his time passing him by. And he will ultimately end up fighting this year and resigning a deal. I think the terms of that deal will probably be more favorable than it typically would have

been in the past. I think Naitia is somebody who probably would have tried to stay with the UFC for longer previously. I think the deal will be a little more favorable to him. But I think they'll be able to work something out where it makes sense for Nate Diaz to resign, maybe on a shorter term contract and ultimately fight in 2022. All right, Connor, let me ask you this. You feel like he's going to fight in 2022.

Let's say that does happen. He does have a fight in 2022. Will he fight in the UFC in 2023? Wow. That's a great question. I don't think so. I think that he's working this to actually find his way out of the UFC. I think this will be the last fight of his contract.

And I think that he goes after one more fight in the UFC and actually tries to set up a boxing match with Jake Paul. Which he should. Make that money, son. So who does he fight, Connor? Who does he fight? Let's say the UFC does this. You would think they're going to lean to the Connor fight for multiple reasons.

One, because it's the most lucrative fight they can make. And two, Connor doesn't have a lot left on his deal as well. So the UFC is thinking, if we're going to do this, this trilogy fight. We're going to do it in our cage since we had the first two fights because there's a very good chance that both those guys are out of the UFC. They'll just come together and book that third fight on their own and keep all of the money and the UFC doesn't get any of it. So do you think it's Connor? Do you think they pulled the trigger on the Porre fight? Do you think it's somebody else? Yeah, well, you mentioned the Dustin Porrier fight. I mean, not only do

the fans want to see it. I guess the sportsbook want to see it too. You know, our friends over at Draft King's Sportsbook, the only book up with odds right now. They have Dustin Porre is a minus 435 favorite right now going into that one. So we're not the only ones that want to see it. I don't think that's going to inevitably happen. I think they already would have done it if they were going to do that. There's also maybe a Jorge Mazvado with all the drama surrounding him right now. There would be huge hype around that.

But you took the words out of my mouth. I do think the reason that they're long gaming this, the reason that they're so quiet that they're taking so long to give him his fight, I think they want to give him the Connor McGregor match. I think it's like what you said. They only see so much time with these two guys staying within the organization. and they want to make this trilogy match happen. They want the rubber match.

So I think they're inevitably trying to set that one up. I know EK is a favorite of a lot of these programs, but could you have picked a better still photo of me, E.K., for the love of God. I mean, that is terrible. Connor looking like a million bucks. New York Rick's just kind of hanging out, chilling, and I'm just looking like that. I'm looking like I'm 147 years old.

But do you agree with Connor New York, Rick? Do you think we'll see Nate Connor 3, or will it be Nate versus Porre? We'll be Nate versus somebody else. I think it depends on when ultimately Diaz decides to do this because I can't see a world. I believe I heard somebody on this chat say that they believe that it would be Nate Diaz's last fight.

So they believe that he's going to fight Connor McGregor and then the UFC is going to let him walk over to fight Jake Paul. That doesn't really seem like a likely scenario for me. That doesn't seem like how the UFC does business. I do ultimately think they could convince him to take the Connor McBrose. but I think that would come with resigning and then obviously not going off to boxing. I also think there's a possibility where he gets anxious and is tired of waiting around and ultimately does agree to fight Dustin Porre and then maybe Connor McGregor later in the year.

If Connor McGregor is to be believed, he thinks he's going to be back sooner rather than later. I'm not so sure. So ultimately, I think he will fight Dustin and I think he will sign a new contract. and sign a new contract, and then maybe he gets that Connor fight later. But there's some money to be made for Nate Diaz fighting Dustin, and then that Connor trilogy is always there. It will not be his last fight for the promotion.

I don't think there's a way that it would be his last fight, and then he moves to boxing. He's either be with the UFC or weighted out. I talked all about this. I gave my thoughts on heck of a morning this morning, and I think we can all agree. The way the UFC handles these situations, especially now with all the money they're bringing it,

is just incredibly dumb. just book him a fight or let him go. Like, what are we doing here? Nate's a star. I get it, but it doesn't affect your overall bottom line if you let Nate go or just throw him in a fight. And then he goes off afterwards because if he goes in there and fights Dustin Porre. The odds, I kind of look at the odds that Connor just gave from the sports book is pretty accurate. Like Dustin has a very good chance of winning that fight.

And then, you know, maybe they look at his Nate's stock drops a little bit, although that is not true because he is a big star and he could just show up at a Jake Paul. fight and people go gaga over him. But we'll move on. Let's see what we're going to do between the UFC and Nathan Diaz. We'll take a look back on the stars of UFC Columbus in round two, but the point for round one goes to corporate Mike is giving the point

to G.C. because plug in the sponsor, plug in the sponsor. Very well done. I mean, that's just a professional move right there. Great, great work. Great work. Yeah, Greg, don't make that face. You've been on the show long enough to know what's about to happen. but it's all going to come down to the end.

And by the way, I'm giving away points, but we all know that they're kind of faux points. There will be a poll sometime. It may be up now where you guys can vote on who wins the scrudge match between New York Creek and GC. So once that poll is in there, make sure you vote. I know AK will be very excited to see a poll somewhere on this YouTube channel.

So good night at the office for several fighters this past Saturday in Columbus, Ohio, but two guys stood out the most. In my opinion, their stocks rose the most when it comes to being in world championship discussions. We could throw a man in Fiore, we could throw Alexigraso in there as well, but I'm talking about one, Curtis Blades, who closed the show with the big finish of Christakis in the main event, second round TKO, had a name in mind for the future.

And with DC's help, he kind of had two names in mine. And then he gets the M.M.A. hour rub. I feel like he had a tremendous week. And I feel like his stock rose quite a bit on Saturday, New York, Rick. How do you grade Curtis Blades as night, his performance, the aftermath, et cetera? Yeah, A plus for Curtis Blades. I mean, considering the circumstances where it's believed and he admitted on the MMA hour that he wasn't in best standing with the UFC, had been at odd with Dana White,

going into press conferences, talking about he's not there to entertain, he's just there to win. And he decided that he was going to change his tune and change the way he fights and fight to the potential that I believe he has, which I can get to in a little bit. But A plus for how he turned it around there, went in there looking like a striker. Didn't even shoot for a take down once and knocked Docis clean out. So it is hard to do better than he did in that fight against the guy that everybody thought was a rising prospect. He put that hype train off the tracks with one punch and maybe a few more on the follow-up where they needed. Probably not.

Could have stepped in there a little sooner. But A plus for Curtis Blades, no doubt in my mind, the performance that he needed and absolutely delivered in Columbus. Connor, your thoughts on Blades' performance on Saturday, the callouts afterwards, dealing with D.C., kind of poking and prodding for the steep A callout, how he handled the no-selling press conference, M.A. Hour appearance, et cetera. How would you grade the last five days of his life?

I'm in an A-plus as well. I'm kind of in agreement with New York, Rick, here. I mean, the fact that he went into the fight with Dawkins and he made it solely a standing matchup. I mean, he didn't even go for one takedown when we know that all he does is typically, chain wrestling these fights. He proved that he can fight in the stand-up and he can get knockouts. He comes on the MMA hour afterward. Admitz that that was the entire plan going into that.

He wanted to get into better standing with the UFC. So, I mean, we know how sick of a wrestler he is. If he can get his striking game to match his wrestling, he's going to be a huge threat to get a title in the heavyweight division. As far as the callouts go, I liked them, but I didn't really see the steepe won as much of a callout as much as I did, sort of giving homage to a legend. Steve A didn't really have any interest in what he was having to say. I don't think that matchup gets made. So I didn't really view that as a callout. But as far as the Serogon one goes, I would be all down to see that happen.

Now, for those who watch the MMA hour, they listen to the MMA hour, and they look to GEC for his gambling advice, he told you to take a look at Kikar, France, as a pretty big underdog against Asker-Oskaroff. And I will say that I agreed with him when I made my official MMA-fighting staff picks. I pick Kai Kar-France to win. Huge win for KKF. Judges got it right. No robbery.

He moves on to big things, quite possibly a flyweight title shot. So, Connor, you nailed it. That was a big win for KKF. We know he will have his chance at a UFC title eventually. I think all of us thought he'd get his chance at some point win or lose against Askeroff. But in your eyes, even though you picked him to win, how much did his stock soar up in victory on Saturday,

defeating a guy that a lot of people feel might be the actual. actual toughest style matchup in this entire division. Yeah, man, I think the only way that it could have risen anymore if he had gotten a finish on Ascar Ascarov. I mean, he showed out. He was a plus 300 underdog. He did exactly what he needed to do. I know Ascarov dominated the first round. He bounced back in the second round, had it one one going into the third round. And he was able to get it done. And now, in my opinion, I think he secured himself a title shot, no matter if he gets it next against Figuero or if he has to wait after the fourth one and go there, I think the next time he steps into the octagon,

it will be for a title fight. So short of finishing him, I don't think his stock could have risen anymore on Saturday. I will say, I wish Demetri's Johnson was still in the UFC because we think UFC could probably put together Kai Kar-France versus Demetrius Johnson. I would watch the hell out of that right now

in a number one contender fight, but that obviously can't happen, New York, Rick. So what did you think of KKF's performance and, you know, how much did his stock rise in your eyes after beating a really tough dude in Ascar-Astero? Yeah, I think it rose a lot. More importantly, the champion decided that his stock rose. The champion, Davidson Figurado and his coach, Coach Eric and his coach Henry Sohudo,

decided that his stock rose and decided that it would not be Brandon Moreno next. He decided that he would like the challenge of Kai Kar-France. So more importantly than winning fan sentiment, I think he caught the eye of the champion for one reason or another. and that is going to be the thing that ultimately makes the difference. I think the champion wants to fight him. Now, you know, it was reported by Ariel Hawani that they were looking to do that fight in July. Sorry, the fourth fight.

They were looking to do Figaro v. Moreno in July. Today, our own Guillermo Cruz released an article where he spoke to Figurato, and it doesn't seem like he's going to be back until October or November. That to me means there's plenty of time for Moreno to get a fight potentially, maybe against Kai Kara France, there's plenty of time for them both to sit out and wait to see who gets that opportunity toward end of year. So I think there's a real potential that Kai Kara France may jump the line and get his ticket and fight next for the title before Moreno gets that fourth fight. So huge night for Kai Kara France. Couldn't have gone better.

Finish, no finish. Doesn't really matter. The champion wants them. he wants the champion. It seems like it's inevitable at this point and may even be next, which I'm looking forward to. All right. So let's put ourselves in the UFC matchmaker's shoes. How do we book these fights?

How do we make the most money? Who will fight for the title first, Eric? Interim or not? Who will be on the poster of a title fight first? Who will step in the octagon competing for a championship first? Curtis Blades or Kai Kar, France, and why? If we're including interim, it's a no-brainer. It's Curtis Blades.

As I said, Figuero is going to be out for a bit, or at least is assuming that he's going to be out for a bit while he recovers from injured hands. I could see a world where Curtis Blades is fighting for an interim title, which we know will be established at this point. Francis Ngano was sitting out and the UFC's heavyweight division has to move on. I could see a world where Curtis Blades this summer into late end of year is fighting in that interim title opportunity. So it's going to be Curtis Blades. And I think, quite frankly, the man deserves it. He has three losses in his pro and amateur career, and they are two to Francis and gone and one to Derek Lewis, all three by knockout. I think you can give somebody a pass for losing by knockout to those two opponents three times.

Francis is on the shelf. Derek Lewis is falling down the rankings. It doesn't seem like there's anybody in the way of Curtis Blades achieving his potential and becoming a UFC champion. So I think it's more interesting to ask who's going to win it first, quite frankly, but I do think it will be Curtis Blades fighting for it first. if I had to pick. All right, well, who do you think is going to win it first? Curtis Blades as well. Well said.

Well said. I disagree with you, New York, Rick, and one thing that you said, and I'll get to that in a moment. But do you agree with him, Connor? Do you think Curtis Blades will fight for, even if it's an interim title? Like, let's just say July,

they need to fill that interim title fight. I've got to get on an international fight week. You think Curtis Blades is that guy, or do you think he's going to have to wait and maybe KKF gets a shot first? Yeah. I'm actually going to disagree with New York Creek here. I was expecting more disagreement because I thought New York Crick scored the fight for Ascar

Ascarov, actually. I didn't know that he was just going to accept my boy KKF getting it done this weekend so easily. I will say that KKF will get the title shot first solely because, in my opinion, the next time that he steps in the octagon, it will be for a title fight where we can't be guaranteed that with Curtis Blades. There's Taitoivasor, there's Cirogan. We really don't know the matchup that the UFC is looking to make. I am in agreeance with New York Rick

that I think Curtis Blades does deserve a title shot, but it's not guaranteed where in my eyes, I think the next time Kai Kara-France fights, I think it'll be for a title. Yeah, I just, I think Tai Tuvaasa, if they can't, obviously they want Steepa and John Jones. I'm starting to lose hope. I was very positive on that.

I'm losing hope, okay? But Tai Tu I, like, if I'm Stepe and you want a big fight, Tai Tuvaa is a pretty big fight and a very winnable fight for you. So I would think Ty to Ivas is in the on-deck circle, for sure, because if you're going to put him in a title fight, you've got to do it now. Because chances are if you put Ty in a fight with Tommy Aspinall or Curtis Blades or even Cyril gone, let's be honest,

he's not going to be favored in that fight. And there's a good chance stylistically probably loses those fights. So if you're got to get tie into a title fight, you got to do it now, strike while the iron is hot. You know what I'm saying? And then you got gone, and then you got Tommy Aspidal. You got a list of guys. who have claimed to this fight right now.

And Curtis could get it. And I'm with you, Rick. If he gets in that fight, there's a very good chance he wins that fight and becomes the interim champion. But the UFC isn't looking at as like, hmm, who's the guy that is more likely to win the title? They're thinking about it is who is the guy

who's going to draw the most eyeballs and make us pay $75 bucks? I don't know if Curtis plays that guy. Although he took a step forward on Saturday, New York, Rick. I will say that. The promo was good. Usually he doesn't spit hot fire in the mic. And this wasn't hot fire. but this is a very good, this is very good.

He had a name ready to go. He was prepared. Tai Tuivasa versus Stepe Miocchitz, I don't, I just don't see it. I just don't see it. It seems like it's more set up for Curtis versus Stepe, if anything. And hey, why not? If Steepa doesn't like any of those options and is waiting for John Jones or a rematch for the real belt, why not do Thai versus Curtis Blades?

I think there's too many permutations that Curtis Blades is the perfect fit for, whether it be against Steepa, because let's face it, Taituivas is not a headliner yet, right? Like he hasn't been in that position where Blades and Stipey Miochitz are proven commodities. Aspinall, you know, getting his first crack at that. Blades is the one who's been here, done that. There's a little prestige behind it. I think that title fight makes a lot more sense from a meritocracy standpoint.

I'm not going to be the one who argues that the U.S. is a meritocracy, but it just makes more sense. Taitu of Asa, sure, if he's given that opportunity, run with it, take advantage of it. And I just can't see Steve A. Miochich opting into that fight. I think that Curtis Blades makes a lot more sense. Maritocracy, be damned. But he also wants the gone fight. And even in the post-fight press conference, he didn't even talk about the title.

He said, if I fight Zero Gone and beat Cyril Gan, my next fight will be for the belt. Undisputed interim or not, I will have a title fight next. So my thought is if the UFC does go to France, they do go to Paris, G. why not do Cyril Ghan versus Curtis Blades main event there? Why not? Like, Gond gets the hometown rub. Curtis gets to take that massive chip on his shoulder and expand it even more.

And which fighter on earth doesn't want to travel to Paris and headline a card, especially a historic one like that. So there's still high stakes if you fight Cyril Gahn, you know, September, October, November. He's not in any rush. And Curtis Blades with one more win. If he beat Cyril Gahn, there's no denying this man. 1,000% he's fighting for a title.

Yeah, I'm with you. I mean, I can't really think of a reason not to do it, I guess, other than the fact that you said about who can make them the most money if you made it Cyril Ghan versus Taito Ivasa in Paris. I mean, that's that might sell more tickets in that situation. But in that case, is it 100% certain that it will be for a title if it's for a title against Cyril Gahn if it's in Paris? No. Just a main event. It doesn't need to be. for a title. So let's say it's a main event. That's kind of what I'm saying in this situation. We just named all these names. The heavyweight division is a little bit more crowded than the flyweight division right now. There's only two names. It's Brandon Moraine or it's Kai Kara-Fran. So that goes back to my point on why I think that KKAAF will get the title shot first. These are the kinds of conversations you want to have your name mentioned in if you're Curtis Blades. Because heading into Saturday didn't think we'd be having these kinds of conversations

as good as he is, but he had a tremendous night and now he is in these conversations. So a tremendous night for him. Kikar, France, tremendous night for him. Both guys, a thousand percent deserve to be mentioned on this program, deserved to be in these conversations. So we are halfway home in regulation. We're going to get interesting now. The point for round two goes to New York Rick.

It is one to one. The magic fingers paid off. Nicely done. All right. So let's have some fun. All right. Let's play a little game of over under. And I'm going to credit 1,000% to the Prince of Positivity,

my best friend, A.K. Lee, for bringing this question to light on the M.MA fighting ranking show, which, by the way, in case you've been living under a rocker in a cave the last several months, MMA fighting global rankings, best rankings in the sport, not a debate. But anyways, ranking show, AK presents a very interesting question that I will present to each of you, gentlemen. We have six UFC title fights coming up between now and June 2. 12th, UFC 273, UFC 274, UFC 275. We got Volcanovsky Korean zombie next Saturday. We got Sterling v. John next Saturday.

We got Oliver Gaci, Nama Units Asparza at 274. And then in June in Singapore, we have Tashara Parshka and Chavchenko Santos. So, G.C, we're going to begin with you here. We're setting the over-under at two and a half. Two and a half. How many new undisputed champions will we see, Between now and June 12, do you think less than two and a half

or more than two and a half and why? This is an absolute no-brainer for me. We are counting Yon if he beats Al Jemaine Sterling as Ann New, correct? Correct. So this is an absolute no-brainer for me. If Draf King's sportsbook wanted to put up a line on this, even if it was a pretty heavy favorite, I would hammer the over here.

I think Piotr-Yon will be Ann-new. I think Uri Prohasha will be Ann-new. And now you're sitting at two. You only need one more with four title shots to go. between Volcanovsky Korean zombie Rose Carla, Olives Gaichi and Valentina, Tyler Santos, I think there is one upset

of those four and I think we easily get to three. I would be hammering the over two and a half in this situation. Eric, are you hammering the over as well? Are you going under here? Are you being a little more conservative? Do you have more faith in the undisputed champions right now or at least the non-interim champions in this equation?

Yeah, unlike what I just heard, I actually looked at all six matchups instead of just hoping and praying for a shot that one of the four hits after picking two. He's about to say Al-Gio. You're just going to rattle them off one by one. Volcanowski zombie and still, right? Sterling Jan.

Here we go. Get the breaking music ready. Yeah, yeah. And still. Good luck. Good luck. What? Wow, I love it.

24. He's got some inside scoop that that Al Jermaine's in good shape or something, so he's going to take the plus 350 flyer on it. I think it's his real estate agent or something that told him. Al Jemaine Sterling and still after Saturday. UFC 274, Charles Olivares versus Justin Gae. And new and new.

One of those prayers that J.C. is throwing up hits when Gachi becomes a champion. Rosnamu Yunus versus Carla Asparza. And still, Glover Tashara versus Yashira versus Yachia. Yuri Prohasa and new Valentina Shavchenko versus Tyler Santos and still. So the only new champions that I'm looking at are Justin Gagchi and Yuri Prohaska.

And still. Hammering the under. Phantomweight champion of the world, Al Jermaine Sterling. Okay, so I have to dive in a little further with this New York, Rick, because I think, and you said, I think we all believe that Valentina Shofchenko

will defeat Tila Santos. Volkovsky is a big favorite over the Korean zombie. Still a hell of a matchup. But I feel like those are the two, like if you ask anybody and you said pick the two locks, if you will, the ones you're most confident in. Those are the two you would probably be most confident in. So outside of those two, who are you personally favoring most to leave as undisputed champion between the other eight fighters? So you mentioned like even the ones who retain, like who are you the most confident in, walking out undisputed champion,

not named Valentina Shofchenko or Alexander Bolkinovsky. Yeah, funny enough, it's one of the new champions. I have no doubt in my mind that Justin Gaci is going to win the belt. No doubt. It is not even a question in my mind. Wow.

That man is built for this, and he is going to be the next lightweight champion. I mean, it hurts me. It hurts me because as somebody who's been in this game for a long time and really loves what Charles Oliver has been able to do and counter a lot of the fake narratives that have been written about him, I just don't see a path to victory against Justin Gaci. I think that man is a demon,

and he is the one I'm most confident in outside of the two fights that you took away. Yep. What say you, Connor? Not Valentina, not Volko. Who are you most confident in walking out as champion? I mean, well, first of all, Rick, you don't see one. path to victory for Charles Oliver against Justin Gage. This man who has the most submissions in UFC history can't take this dudes back and choke

him out like he does to everybody else. No. No, not a back in victory. Okay. All right. Okay. Well, in my opinion, I got Piotrion and Yuri Prohashka and no. I'm with you that Volkanowski is going to get it done against Korean zombie.

I'm not as confident in Valentina as I am in Volcanowski in this fight. Tyler Santos is 19 and 1. She's, I mean, we don't. don't know her ceiling. We don't know how great she could be. Crazy upsets happen. Rose Carla, I mean, Rose is far from a lock in this situation. Carlo Asparza, she's already beaten her once. I know Rose is undefeated in rematches, but there's a chance that Carla Asparza pulls this off. And then, like Rick said, I mean, Gachie could pull it off as well. So I think we get to the over two and a half. I would bet my real money on it if it was a prop at a sports book.

there you go draft king sports book let's go let's make call it the uh the prince of positivity championship line for the next sick title fights and let me just say this the blatant disrespect for Charles Oliver on this program is just unacceptable and the blatant

disrespect and just the disrespect for one Glover to Shera is disrespectful as well no one picking Glover to win and I'm going to say this again because ask anybody I have been consistent since October, since he won the title,

Glover Tashara will submit Yuri Prahashka in the first round. Done. Tap, tap, tap, or he goes to sleep. Because Glover just needs one takedown and the fight's over, and that is what's going to happen. I love Yuri. He's an animal, and getting that takedown is going to be very, very difficult to get. But once he gets it, the fight is over, my friends.

And Glover Tashira will not only defend his title, but he will end 2022 as the light heavyweight champion of the world. So there you go. I might be wrong and you guys can roast me for it, but I'm standing by it. I ain't turning back now. Hell of a round. Love the banter.

The disagreements. The back and forth. We head to the final question of regulation. Point for round three goes to this. This is easy. G.C. Two to one. That was easy one.

That was easy one. You picked out Jermaine Sterling and said there's no path to victory for Charles Oliver. Come on. None. You gave that round of work. And you. Listen, while you're getting the tips from the real estate agent about taking

Al Jemate Sterling, go ahead and take another mortgage out and put it all on Gachie at dog money, if we're saying it's that much of a lot. Oh, believe me, I'm all over the dog money on Gigi. Easy. Good, good. Oh, man. Well, I know G. Where are you heading, G.

You're heading to the, are you going to New Orleans? You're going on the final floor? Orleans, man. That's where I will be heading tomorrow morning for the final four. I was supposed to go to the one in 2020. Unfortunately canceled. It was in my hometown of Atlanta. Me and the guys that were planning to make the trip. We stayed committed. We stuck to it. Now we're going to the one in 2022. Got a couple of future tickets hoping to cash them. But yeah, we'll be at the final four and then the national championship on Monday. There you go. So we don't want to take up too much more of Gisi's time here.

This is going to be a fun question because we have no card this week. so we had to think a little bit outside the box. We are a quarter of the year gone. We've had countless UFC events. We've had a few from Bellator. We've had one. We just got one X, which was filled with mixing of the martial arts

and even non-mixing of the martial arts. If we're getting our math together for this year-end conversation, New York, Rick, and we'll begin with you here. Who is your front-runner for the 2022 fighter of the year and why? Through a quarter of 2022. Yeah, this one's easy. There's only one answer.

Israel, Adasanya, already with the best win of the year over Robert Whitaker, an active champion, somebody who's intending to fight in the summer and then probably get another one or two in before the year is over. It's Israel Adasanya. He's a good bet if you're doing futures to do it every single year just because of how active he likes to stay. Now that the world's opening up a little bit more and he's more easily able to travel, it's got to be Israel Adasanya, who, as I said, I think, has already the best win of the year. Now he's going to rack up a few. It's one of those questions where New York was like,

please let me go first. Let me get this out of the way. But maybe Connor. Maybe Connor, let's have some fun here, you know? I mean, this is going to be, see, in the NBA fighting thing, we get a bow for five. We have a top five here. So maybe someone can sneak out.

And this is early too. But who have you seen through this first quarter that you're just like, this guy is a really good chance to become the fight of the year at the end of the year? I'm not going to disagree with New York Rick's pick at all. I waffled between taking Israel to Sanya, especially with his commitment to how many more fights he's going to take in 2022. So I don't really fault him there. I wanted to go Francis and Gano, but unfortunately because of the surgery, we're not going to see him anymore in 2022. So I finally landed to have some fun on Ty Bam Bamtuivasa. I'm going to take him so far as my 2022 fighter of the year. He is on a meteoric rise. He's knocking

everybody out. He goes into Houston, gets a disgusting elbow to knock out Derek Lewis to put him all the way up to number three in the heavyweight rankings, one spot above New York Rick's beloved Curtis Blades. I think if he keeps doing this, he's going to get a title shot. He may even get the interim title shot his next fight. So if he keeps knocking people out, his next fight. So if he keeps doing that, then by the end of this calendar year, we very well might be seeing him, chugging beers. I'm done doubting him. I bet against him. I bet against him with Derek Lewis. I'm done doubting him. So I'm just going to assume he's just going to keep knocking people out. And if he keeps doing that, then by the end of this calendar year, we very well might be seeing him as the 2020. too far to the year. That is a very bold pick right there, and I dig it. I dig it a lot, Connor. What do you think of his pick, New York, Rick? Do you like the Tai Tai Tai pick? I mean, come on. Do I even need to talk about this?

Do I even need to respond to this? Let's just move to the next round, please. Should I go get my Shui Vasa? Should I do a Shui Vasa on the air just to shout out to my point? And let's move on to the next round. I mean, obviously not. Tai is not going to be the fighter of the year, as great as that knockout. what, let's be real about what's happening here.

Israel, Asana, an actual contender for Fighter of the Year. And we'll probably pick up a few more defenses this year. So enough said. I mean, New York Rick and these zero chance this happens takes today. It's unbelievable. You're telling me right now, New York, Rick, if tied to Yvasa, let's just say they book him in July non-title fight. Let's say they give him whoever, and he gets another win. End of the year, he fights for an interim title or something like that.

He goes, three and O, three finishes and has a title around his waist. You're telling me he doesn't have a case for fighter of the year? That would be a very impressive year for tie to Ivasa. Three wins, an interim title around his waist, while Israel Adasanya has three to four title defenses as the reigning and defending middleweight champion. I mean, let's just, come on, come on now. Let's be serious here for a second. There's enough shenanigans going on.

Please, please. Can we move on? You're saying I was getting your disagreement because I was just making assumptions that that Taito Ivasa would continue this meteoric rise of his. You're saying that if Taitoivasa knocks out whoever he fights next who's going to be a huge name, whether it be Tom Aspinall, Gahn, Miochich, whoever they give him, it's going to be a monster name. He knocks them out. And then he goes and fights for a title, an interim title later this year, knocks them out and gets a belt put around his waist. He goes, 3-0, 3 knockouts, interim title.

He's not going to win fighter of the year. Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying, because Israel all the time. You are going to put together. You are crazy with this. If not four. If not four. It's going to be three, bro. It's going to be three.

You know it. Yeah, more likely. More likely for sure. It's going to be three. But yeah, the king, the king, look, when Israel at Asanae goes out there and end of year puts puts an end to this Alex Pereira stuff and shows that there's levels to this game. And you didn't, you didn't just come to the show to beat me. It's, it's going to be a statement, bigger than any statement that Ty is going to make this year. All due respect, look, if he puts that

year together, I'll be the first one to do a shui. I'll worship at the altar of Tai Tuivasa, but he would not be fighter of the year over the reigning, defending middleweight champion Israel, of Sanya, who puts together a perfect year, capped by taking out his rival that everybody's been rushing into a title shot. That's the one. So you're just flat out already making the pick. Alex Breyer beats Sean Strickland. Is that what you're saying?

And then we get that fight? I mean, I wasn't thinking we'd do the breakdown on this. But yes, I think that's a very favorable matchup for Alex. I think it's either going to be one of two things. It's either going to be a jab fest from Sean or Alex is going to show him that power and catch them probably in the later rounds. But this is the exact matchup you'd want if you're the UFC and trying to push Alex toward that title.

This one makes the most sense. One million percent. I completely agree with you. Meritocracy-wise, the fight makes zero sense at all. But what the UFC is trying to accomplish makes all the sense of the world because this is your number one contender fight, regardless of rankings. If Strickland wins, he fights for the title.

If Pereira wins, no doubt he fights for the title. So we shall see. All right. Round four, we got a point to give away. And it goes to... I mean, that's just... It goes to New York, Rick. Although, there may be people who don't agree with New York, Rick.

You get the point based on how well you present your argument, and Rick ain't moving. You could have drove an 18-wheeler on him, and he would have kept his feet planted in the sand and not moved an inch. You'd have been like Chris Rock up to getting slapped by Will Smith, keeping his feet in the box, not moving at all. And I respect that New York, Rick.

I respect that a lot. And that means we're heading to the knockout round right now. So get those, start tallying those votes. But at the same time, you get to wait for this knockout round because we're going to do one question. Neither of these guys know what this question is going to be. It'll be the same question. No Tom Fulery, no doors or anything like that. One question, each will have one minute to answer.

When it is done, you guys will tabulate your votes. Your votes, I will waste a couple of seconds while those votes are being tabulated. We'll bring in the undefeated, undisputed, getting fighter, getting some votes for pound for pound fighter on M.A. Fighters' global rankings, E. Casey Leiden, he will come on here and we'll announce the winner. So, New York, Rick, you are the Wiley veteran. So you do have the choice.

You have the prerogative. Do you want to go first, or do you want to pass it on to Connor? I mean, as happened when I was unceremoniously robbed last time, I will always up to go first and drop the hammer. So bring it. Let's get this over. All right. We're just going to throw it out here, New York, Rick.

We're just going to have some fun because UFC 273 is going down next Saturday. It is loaded. We have a six-fight main card. We have all sorts of craziness going on. Some great stories, some great prospects, great title fights. We've got the return of Hamza Tcha Maya versus Gilbert Burns. Everything you would ever want in a pay-per-view card is on this one. but what I want from you right now in one minute or less,

what is your bold prediction for UFC 273? What is your out-of-the-box prediction for UFC 273? If you want to go on the Algemaid Sterling train, that's fine. I mean, really convince the world. So one minute on the clock starts now. Yeah, I mean, it would, I got takes for days. And unlike my opponent, I don't need Ariel around to just parrot and steal them from. So I got these just loaded up.

Hamzat Shamiyev, that's not bold, but he is going to absolutely demolish Gilbert Burns. No doubt in my mind there. Again, a no-brainer. That one's going to happen. I don't know how bold that is. The betting lines wouldn't say that's too bold. So we'll move on from that one. But book that for sure.

Hamzat Shemayev is the truth. And the people that are crying about the betting lines, oh, the betting lines are so disrespectful to Gilbert Burns. First of all, learn what betting lines are made for. It's to get equal action on both sides. It has nothing to do with who they think. think is going to win a fight. So crime more, but Hamzaa Shamaia's the truth. Second, Al Jemaine Sterling, I already touched on it. It's going to happen. And still, Al Jemaine Sterling, I think he looked absolutely putrid in that first fight. Terrible. Like, couldn't have looked worse. And he is going to

show the world that that was an aberration. Peter Jan is not going to be expecting what Al Jameen Sterling is bringing. He's going to be able to get him down. And I think he might even finish Peter Jan. Al Jameen Sterling. And still. Wow. I love that. I mean, listen, I love the take. I love the take. That would be nuts. That would be surprising. No disrespect.

I just think it's more, I say it's surprising more so because I look at Peodor Jan and his skill set in such awe. I think he's so good and he hasn't even touched his ceiling yet. He's only going to get better. But man, if Alger goes out there and just runs through Peodorian, that would be super impressive and that would be pretty shocking. And New York Creek is very confident in this. We go over to G.C., man-generated

travel to New Orleans for one of the best sporting events of the year. Then he has to come back and get ready for UFC 273. So UFC 273, what is your bold prediction for UFC 273? What will be the stunner? Stunner take from next Saturday's loaded card. Your one minute starts now. Well, unlike Rick, I'm going to disagree with him. I don't think Al Jermaine Sterling runs through Piotrion.

I think Piotrion puts on such a great performance. Once again, impresses us, makes him think that we're even better, makes us think that he's even better than we thought he was and moves in to the top three of the pound for pound rankings overall and people start giving him the respect he deserves as one of the best fighters in the world. But my bold prediction, we didn't even mention his name, the hype train out of Ireland, Ian Gary.

The line is getting wider and wider on this matchup here with Daryan Weeks. I already have a bet on on Ian Gary, but I'm actually going to go bold here and I'm going to say that the hype train gets derailed and Weeks ends up knocking Ian Gary out. Solomon get hit in his matchup at UFC 268. I think it ends here. He gets knocked out on the hype train,

gets completely derailed. Ian Lila just recently married, don't know what to do with themselves. Wow. He didn't even need the full minute. Saying Ian Gary is going to get bolted by Dary in Weeks. There it is. Wow.

Some very, some very bolts. Look at this guy. This guy. He's got kids. How's that your money? He's got a young one running around. He's going to win.

That's what he tells us. But he says this is a sleepy take. Hamza Jamiya's going to win. That's his bold pick. Hamz Atchamaiv. Did I miss anything? This is fun. This is fun.

I have a feeling this is the first of many BTL matchups between these two. This rivalry is just getting started, ladies and gentlemen. So that's the tabulation music. I'm trying to waste time here. New York, Rick, taking a big yawn after that whole situation. So obviously we have no preview show or post-fight show or onto the next one this week because there's no card to break down or anything like that. We do have heck of a morning tomorrow on Twitter spaces 8 a.m. Eastern.

If you haven't jumped on that train, it's very fun. You come in, it's very interactive, and we're just going to throw all the rules out the window tomorrow. We're just going to take calls all day. You never know who's going to come on the show. Maybe Raging Al-I. Quinto will stir up a fiery debate about open scoring, because that's what happened this week. or what happened this morning. So you never know who's going to show up.

Maybe New York Rick will show up for the third show in a row. We had A.K. Lee. We had Jedm. We had all sorts of characters on the program this week. And if it's too early for you, if 8 a.m. Eastern's too early for you. I get it. We throw it right up on the podcast network about 30 minutes after the show is complete, sometimes with a little bit of bonus footage.

So there you go. So the votes have been mostly tabulated. You heard the arguments. You've heard nearly an hour from the rivals New York Rick and G. We now bring in. the judge, the jury, the executive producer, the 1-0, amateur champion of the universe. E, Casey, Lydin. Hello, Casey.

3024, 3024. Glad you accept that, my man. Okay, let me get the votes all tabulated. Get the machine going. Ooh, all righty. This is so tense right now Here we go You're a winner

One more time You're a winner Winning 59% of the votes GC Connor Burks Whoa 59% GC comes in

GC comes in Gs the win The people have spoken Connor Berks Gets it done 1 and 0 Change that record 1 and 0

unbelievable. Dude comes in and gets it done. I think many people would say that that was probably an upset. This is the first appearance. It's not easy coming on this program for the first time.

And G.C. gets it done. The people have spoken. G.C. 1 and 0. Congratulations by man. You don't get money. You don't get a belts. You don't get anything really. But you do get 30 seconds

to talk about whatever it is you want to talk about. Good, bad, and different. M.MA. Whatever you want to get off your chest. The floor is yours, sir. I mean, listen, a man that's overconfident, a man that's arrogant. You know, that's a weak man or not in my eyes.

We saw it on Twitter. We all saw the back and forth. There it is. There it is. Rest and peace. Here lies in New York, Rixie. Go. Let me pull up the green screen.

Oh, wow. All we're seen is the green screen. No, there we go. Here lies New York Rixiego. Rest in peace. We got. Got it done. This was for all the underdogs out there. This was for all the underdogs, just like Kai Kera-France.

Title shot up next. Sorry I had to do this to you, Rick. That is pretty amazing. You look like a, like, was a queen who had the record album where you're just like, it's just black? And then you see like the shadows of the faces. That's what that looked like. So, well done. New York, Rick, your response to the people because you can't blame Casey for this one.

No, no. I understand it. It's the fun vote. I get it. again and you know I come into these things these things expecting that justice will not be served and I was proven right once again but that's okay you know what I will keep bringing you the original takes I will keep bringing you the heat and you can keep lapping up the rest of the generic stuff wow one and two under 500 now that's tough with the asterisk

with the well there you go so what a spirited battle glad we were able to do this Next week, I'm not sure what's going to happen because I will be on site in Jacksonville with Jose Young. So there'll be a lot of interesting things happening in Jacksonville. So stay tuned for that. That is all I will say. But we will get BTL done some way, somehow. But you could hit the exit music, Casey. There it is.

All right. We are done for New York Rick. For G.C., the victorious, Connor Burke's. For E. Casey Liden, I am Mike Heck. The iconic voice of Esther Lynn. Probably isn't going to take you home because she's in Dallas, but maybe you never know on the end of the show. We'll see you next week between the links.

Good night, everybody. This has been Between the Links. This is 3024, E.KC. Lidon. Thank you for watching. Hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, click the like button. I don't know. Follow us on social media.

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