MMA Fighting - MMA Fighting UFC Fantasy Draft, Season 3: Which 72 UFC Fighters Will Finish Out 2025 The Best?

Episode Date: July 8, 2025

The MMA Fighting team is back with Season 3 of its fantasy league! Who is set to star inside the octagon over the next six months? Will newly crowned lightweight champion Ilia Topuria make another appearance before 2026? Is Jack Della Maddalena the smart choice or is Islam Makhachev about to take all the fantasy points? Will Tom Aspinall finally get a fight? Plus, which under-the-radar standouts could fight more than once and produce the kinds of finishes that make the difference between winning and losing the league? Join the MMA Fighting staff as they select the 72 fighters they think are best poised to finish 2025 in a big way. Follow Alexander K. Lee ⁠⁠⁠@AlexanderKLee⁠⁠⁠ Follow Damon Martin ⁠@DamonMartin⁠ Follow Jed Meshew ⁠@JedKMeshew⁠ Follow Mike Heck @MikeHeck_JR Follow Guilherme Cruz @guicruzzz Follow E. Casey Leydon ⁠⁠⁠@ekc 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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Hello, friends. I'm Jedmishu. I'm a writer from Mayfighton.com, and I'm here because it is that time of the year again. That's right. We are drafting, ladies and gentlemen, the MMA fighting UFC Fantasy League, season three is happening last weekend, International Fight Week, UFC 317, the final event of season two. And so we embark on a new season of our bi-annual fantasy league. But first, before we do that, two quick things. One, introduce all the people drafting. You know them all. They were all here last season.

And two, and most importantly, we must celebrate the man who won season two. In fact, our back-to-back champion. I am speaking of Alexander Cayley, the king in the north and the king of UFC fantasy sports, AK, back for season three, are you ready to defend your crown? How do I do it?

Guys, how do I do it? This is the quick, can we lead that as the headline in the article? How does AK keep doing it? I don't know, guys. And I don't even play other fantasy sports. Like, I could dominate fantasy football if I want to. I could dominate fantasy baseball if I wanted to,

college sports, anything, I choose not to. I choose not to. But because, you know, this is an Nerey website, and I love you guys, I love you guys, I'll do it, I'll jump in. It's just so easy. I picked John Jones last year, knowing that he would not fight. We all knew he wasn't going to fight, but I'm like, I need to make this interesting for myself.

Because seeing you guys bumble around with your picks and your teams was just like, like, every, just, just snoozing. Every time I saw your guys fighting, I'm like, this isn't going to go well for these guys. So it worked out. The Johnstone stuff was hilarious. Didn't cost me at all. I won by a pretty comfortable margin by like a few hundred points. 3.00 points, AK, you won by 300 points over our second best competitor. Congratulations to you, truly the Ilya, champ, champ,

and talking just mad's amount of crap already. AK, you finished first, the second place competitor from season two. The, ines, ineffable? I don't know what word I'm going for here, but the best goddamn producer in the whole business, Casey Lydden. It's good to be back. It's good to be back.

Yeah, AK got lucky. But I had it coming. I did pick the only Nazi in the UFC. So my bad, my bad, my bad. It's tough. It's tough. I had a hunch. Wasn't your best choice.

You did also have Tom Aspinall who also famously did not fight. But it was nip tuck. Casey and AK were tied heading into 317. But Casey had Charles Olivera and AK had Joshua Van and somebody else who I don't remember. who all oh sorry Terrence McKinney so a solid runner up position for E. Casey Leiden

finishing in third place last season making the podium the voice of M.A.fighting.com not my best friend but he's somebody's best friend out there. Mr. Mike Mike how are you feeling about this season? Feeling great I'm slowly working my way up the rankings so I'll probably

finish second this time but you best Believe first half of 2026, I will be crowned champion of this here fantasy league. It's always good to have goals. And the man just off the podium, I mean, he is the hardest working man in Numefiting.com. And I would venture to say, disappointed with how his fantasy season broke out. But, you know, let's hear from himself. Damon Martin, number four, how you feeling? I just take solace in the fact of I quote the great Ricky Bobby.

If you're not first, you're last. So I didn't come in first. So everyone else is last. So that's how I'm taking it. And I certainly was last. I am the fifth place finisher. I had of my 12 players, only six of them, one fights. Hard to have a lot of points in that.

And somebody else who knows that problem. The beast from Brazil, the Brazilian beast. I don't remember what Shaheen used to call you. But gosh darn it, he's my best. friend, Gareme Cruz bringing up the rear, but, Ghee, though you finish last, you will have the honor of having the first pick in this season. Is that going to help me? I don't know. My goal is here.

He selected first last time, and he won. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So my goal is here. It just will be better than you, that's it. That's it. I'm not aiming that higher.

It can't be that difficult. I have not proven well at this game I invented, which is really, really unfortunate for me. Before we get into things, ladies and gentlemen, just a quick couple of notes. So if this is your first time,

one, go back and check our previous fantasy season. Now you can have some updates. Two, scoring criteria and rules. Really simple. We are drafting fighters for the remainder of the year. One in each weight class,

plus a wild card pick. So 12 overall, uh, fighters will earn points for however many times. they compete. If they compete more than once, you can get two bites at the apple. Our scoring criteria, 100 points for a win, any win. 50 points for a finish in that win, 50 if you get a performance bonus. 50, if your win came over a ranked opponent, and then you get a 25 point bump if you are in a title fight, win or lose, and a 25 point bump if you are in a main event, win or lose. So the max any

fighter can score for one event is 300 points. We had a couple of those happen this past iteration. And one final wrinkle. We are doing a snake draft, but before we get to the snake draft, decided it would be fun to let everybody have a keeper. So this is a keeper league now dynasty format. Every person gets to designate one fighter that will remain on their roster. If you choose to designate a wild card fighter,

that fighter can go move into the weight division that they will. would obviously fit in. But we'll start with that. We'll just go in draft order. Our draft order this year will be Guy, then me, then Damon, then Mike. Casey, then AK. If you're watching on YouTube,

you can look at it pretty easily from the screen. So, Guy, who are you designating as your keeper from your 2025 season two team? As you all can see from the first half the year's draft, Alexandre Pantoja and Gregi and Rodriguez were the ones that saved me from an embarrassing, even more embarrassing results. So, and considering that the Pantosja pretty much already has the title of fact books against Joshua Van, I had to thank him for the points, and I'm going to keep him in my team.

Since there are a lot of champions that are not, we don't know, but they're fighting entire school, and Pantosja is fighting so. That's it. Pontagia remains on Team Guine. I kind of, if I'm being honest, that is what I expected to happen. So Alessandre Panth, Pantosier remains with Jeremy Cruz. For myself, I strongly considered not keeping anybody, but then I didn't want to have to figure out what that would imply for the rest of our draft.

So I will take the low-hanging fruit. My plan last year was to double up on heavyweights because I thought that they would give me a lot of points. This man did score me some points, certainly, and I know he has matched up. He is matched up against the best heavyweight in season two of the fantasy league, but I think he's going to give me some points. Give me Sergey Pavlovich currently is my wild card, but we will move him into my heavyweight spot as my keeper. And that lets us move on to Damon Martin.

Who are you keeping? It was actually kind of tough because I have a couple guys that actually scored some points, but I'm going to have to go with the guy who is, I don't know where he's ranked now in pound for pound, but number one, number two, pound for pound. I'm going to have to stick with Islam McAchev.

We know he's going to be fighting Jack Dell and Madalena. Before the end of the year, title fight going up to Walter Waite, and I think he's got a pretty good chance of winning that. So I'm going to stick with Islam as my keeper. Totally makes sense. Mike, you had a couple of really good draft picks go your way.

A couple of, a couple of duds, but a couple of really solid players, which one of them? Or are you going to keep somebody else. You're going to believe that this is the time for Armand Sarukin. Yeah, I was just going to say, I know you're all thinking. You're thinking I'm just going to keep Armin Sarukin. And damn it, you would be wrong. Ilya, I'm sticking with me because

he's not going to have to fight Armin Saracian. Next, he's going to fight Paddy Pimblett next. And guess what, he's going to beat Patty Pimble. So, Ilya, how can I not keep him? I think that would be just a travesty if I let him go to any of you other guys. So Ilya stays. I'm so happy you made that big I'm so happy you made that big because he's not fine until January so you know good job that's not true

no they're gonna kick off the net they're gonna kick off the Netflix partnership with I predicted it the other day I think that's what they're gonna do no chance I hope you're correct Damon I predicted something similar but I also didn't even have

Ilya on my board because I was like I would be shocked if Mike does not keep Ilya moving forward And that brings us to, A.K., the last keeper selection, you are the person who had by far the most successful draft in many ways. The wonderful... I was going to say, sorry, I think it was Casey. No, you're right.

It's Casey, my bad. I F that up. Casey, it's your turn, sir. I am going to, my keeper will be the only fighter of my draft last season that did not fight. I'm going with the heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall guaranteed main event guaranteed rank fighter guaranteed victory guaranteed bonus give me it all

yeah I skipped right over you because we talked about it before the show and you told me you were taking Tom and I was like yeah you should Tom would have been my first pick if you if you let him out because he's just 300 points he's not going to fight twice but he's going to get you the max 300 points and that is a great start And then that takes us to AK. And I do want to shout out Twitter user John Miller, followed by a bunch of numbers.

John was keeping up with our most recent season of fantasy. And he noted, very kindly, put together a list of the top scorers for each position, each weight class, regardless of whether they were draft. AKA.K. drafted four max earners. So he's got a lot of people that are proven winners. Is he going to pick one of them? He's going to go somewhere different. This was tough. This was tough.

I had three pretty obvious choices to go with, I think. In Reiner de Ritter would have been a fun one. John Silva, who fought twice, got me a buttload of points. Like with RDR, maybe he beats Whitaker and he gets a telethystop for the end of the year. Gosh, that is tempting. But I had to go, I wanted to reward this young man. I wanted to reward Joshua Van. I think our biggest point getter, I believe he got something like 500 points or 550 points.

He had a second biggest point getter of the whole thing behind only. Marab de Valleishvili. Yeah. He fought three times. He fought three times. And as Guy mentioned, he is probably, we assume that Pentosia fight will happen before the end of the year. I hate to go head to head with my man, Guy.

You guys know that. I love him. But yeah, I wanted to reward Van. There were other good choices, but I'm going with the soon-to-be flyway champion at Joshua Van is my keeper. Oh, wow. Oh, wow. I mean, that's a bold prediction.

And I respect it. I do think he's going to fight. He's going to get you, you know, title fight point. points has a good chance of getting you a bonus, you know, fight of the night. Can he get the win that will sort of make or break that pick for you? This is vibes. This is vibes. This is vibes.

I owe him. Sorry, AK. I don't win the fantasy. I don't apologize to AK. Do not apologize to AK. We're here to defeat AK. Plus, this means he didn't take my boy, RDR. RDR is back in the mix and I am excited to potentially draft him.

And so, fellas. Guy certainly has a chance because fellas, we are now at the draft. 11 rounds since we did the keepers. And Guy is first on the table. So, Guarmei Cruz, you are on the clock for the 2025 season 3 UFC fantasy draft. Okay,

as Jed said, I do want to thank AK for not keeping this man on his team. But I'm not talking about RDR. I'm talking about John Silver. He has a mini-event coming against Diego Lopez. He has a mini-event coming already. And I fight enough fight, I believe he's going to win. And if he wins, there's another bonus for him.

And there's a chance, I think. It's not a lock, but there's a chance. If it goes there and knocks out Diego Lopez, he's fighting for the title next. Is that happening this year? I don't know. But if he does, That's more points.

So, just your, it's a good first pick for me. Thank you, A.K. I, look, A.K. was always going to lose a lot of people. Just when you draft a juggernaut like that, there's just always some brain drain coming your way. John Silver was absolutely on my short list. And as we moved to myself with the second overall pick,

this has put me in a precarious position because I got to, it's a long, way from two to my next pick is a while and I'm trying to read the board but there is a guy that I just I'm really certain is going to give me max points here and so I'm going to have to do it even if I have some concerns given who it is but in the middleweight division 185 pounds I would like to select none other than Sharra bullet Sharabuton magametteov he is taking on Mark Andre Bahrio at UFC Abu Dhabi in July and then

when they come back in October I strongly suppose that this man will be given another freebie. He's going to kill Mark Andre Barrio. That's just how that goes. So give me Char a bullet in my first selection as we move to Damon Martin.

I hope he does better for you than he did for me. That's all I can say about the Charlea Bullitt. I think he is. My pick because he's out there and I know he's going to fight this year and I have a pretty good idea he's going to win his title fight this year. I got to go with none other than the Bantamway King himself, Marab de Walshvili. He's probably going to fight November and I love Corey San Diego. He was actually my pick last year, last draft, but I have a hard time picking against Marab against anybody right now.

So I got to go to Marab. Totally reasonable selection. I did not think Marab would make it very far into this. But I mean, that brings us to Mike Heck, who I, I, I I believe I heard Mike groan in disappointment. I'm glad that's my pick. I was groaning at the John Silla pick from Ghee because I really wanted that man on my team. I think everybody did. He was probably a top three overall pick.

I'm going to be very hipster this time around, but before I get super hipster, because I think a lot of the names I have won't be selected, at least early, I'm going to just load up with big names. I'm loading up with talent. I'm loading up with somebody

who's about to main event, a massive pay-per-view in the most anticipated fight of 2025 on the books. And he is about to finally say, after all this time, that he is an undisputed UFC world champion. I'm talking about the next middleweight champion of the world, Hamzat Shemayev, who is going to defeat Drickus Duplase at UFC at UFC 319 in the windy city. Let's go. Holy shit, my best friend. My goodness. It's a terrific pick.

I'm really happy for you because he's going to lose. And you boldly, you're boldly taking guys who don't show up. You know, Armand Saurukian didn't make it to fight today for you. You're doing it again with Hamzot. I love this for you. Fellas, Mike's out of the competition. It's now five on, four on AK because of this nonsense choice of his. I haven't finished last this time.

Thank you. Thank you, Mike. Casey, how do you follow up the Hamzot Shem. of pick. You can't. I can't. I can't. I can't.

I can't do it. I can't do it. But I'm for my, oh, this is my first pick. Is this my first? This is your first pick. You had Tom Asmore if your keeper. My first pick. I stay loyal to my team.

I'm going, as my first pick, he was my wild car pick last year. He would now be my light heavyweight pick this year, Zang Ming Yang. Great pick. That's a good. Great pick. I had three names circled for my first overall, and he was one of them. Again, just a terrific pick there from E.K.C. Leiden. And that takes us to our reigning, defending champion.

Alexander Cayley, you retained the services of Joshua Van. Who are you adding to your roster, as you have two picks in a row? Yeah, I'm doing good. Listen, I picked a future champ. I think I'm going to go with my two picks. here with a former champ and a current champ. So this is going to make a lot of people upset, but let's go with my first pick this year,

this half of the year, Drixe duplice. Wow. Wow. Can't go wrong. Had to do it. Now, I hate it. I will say, as I're putting this,

I hate doing this because I am picking Humsat to win, but the value here is just way too high. It's way too high. As Jed pointed out, Jerkis may end up fighting someone else. So I'm actually happy to have the A side here How dare you, A.K. I'm so sorry, Mike.

I'm so sorry. We're just being real. And then for my other pick, another person who has a fight scheduled and just around the corner. And I think they can get some huge points, finally slay that dragon, Max Holloway. Let's get him in there. That's the lightweight to pick. Let's go. I was fascinated by where Max would go, given the history with Dustin Porreier.

Yeah. I knew he'd go. I just didn't know how high. I don't know if this is too high, if this is just right. Genuinely, I had no idea where to rank max. But I do, I respect the picks, even if I hate the DDP pick because you are obviously standing on my corner. But that's fine. Man paid you off last time, stick with what you know.

Casey, we are right back to you for your second round pick. Oh, okay. I had my first pick ready and now I'm completely unprepared. Actually, I'm just out of it. For my second pick. So we have as trick is, oh, man. Crap, crap, crap, crap. I feel like everything is,

now we're just kind of really taking chances now. This is much harder than last one, I think. Yeah. All right. My pick for my second, my second pick will go to the middleweighty, middleweight king, Renner De Reader.

Renner to Redder. Oh. I love that pick for you because he is going to beat Bobby Knuckles. And you never know what happens in. Maybe he fights one more again there. I also respect that Casey retained his heavyweight then took a light heavyweight and a middle weight.

He's just going in the descending order from the top, keeping things really simple for himself. And I do respect that. But that brings us back to, the man who maybe is no longer best friends with with AK. He's feeling betrayed as AK stands in opposition to him. Mike, who's your second round draft pick?

I told you I'm going wicked hipster here. And that's exactly what I'm doing. I'm actually picking another middleweight, but this is going to be my wild card selection. This might be a shocker this early in the draft, but let me assure you of something. The UFC is going to matchmake this guy to get at least two first round knockouts, maybe three in the second half of the year.

and the first one is coming up in a little less than two weeks at UFC 318. He is facing, and I'm getting at no point for this, he's facing Robert Valentin. I'm taking Atiba Gautier, who is just going to get me like 600 points in the second half of the year. So wild card selection in tow. I'm taking Gautierre. It's just easy money. Let's go and just rack up as many points as possible. You are saying.

This is very much, sure. You have lost for them. mind. My best friend. No, he's going to kill Valentine. And then it's just kidding it again. Friends don't let friends go unchecked. You have lost your damn mind.

This is a middleweight, Mike. How reliable do you think this guy is? This is an inexperienced middleweight. You're banking on him to get you. You have lost your damn mind. So what's first round knockout, main card, pay-per-view, bonus, all that. What's that? 275?

He'll get you one. Everything's short. Yeah, everything short of a title fight is 275. Everything short of the title. So 550 points? I'll take 550 points out of the wild card spot. It's, you wait till the drafts over. You're going to be like, heck, that was pretty good pick.

Pretty good. I'll just say, I tried to do something similar last time, and it did not work well. But Godspeed to you, Mike, heck, you're going to need all the help you can get after that Hamzot waste of a pick. Damon Martin, you are on the clock for your second pick. Man, I was struggling on this one because I'm trying to think max points, but I'm also trying to do at who's going to fight. And I think the way it's lined up right now, I've got to go with this guy.

I've got to go for my third champion in a row. And I'm going to go with none other than featherweight king, Alexander Volcanowski, because chances are he's going to fight Yarra Rodriguez, and he's going to beat the brakes off here here for a second time. Why the UFC wants to remake that fight? I have zero idea, but he's not fighting Mbosar. He's not fighting Aaron Pico. I have a good idea that Alexander Volkowski is going to defend his title and keep it this year.

So I'm going with Volk. man again same with max for me this is folks on my board but since like if he's fighting yeah year it's an unbelievable pick if he has to fight the pico evlov winner maybe doesn't even fight very very variable but you're implementing the the casey strategy of last season just draft champions and really good fighters and that kind of working out at least fairly well so i respect it. I mostly respect it because this means the people I want still there. I got my eye on three remaining, four remaining fighters, and I at least get one of them, I'm sorry, at least get, at least get two of them, because I'll have the wheel here in just a moment. Which one do we want

to go with? Because I don't love a lot of my other options in this particular weight class, I'm going to go to the welterweight division, and I'm going to do the thing that nobody did last time and was very, very foolish of us. I'm going to draft a guy who's going to fight at least twice, maybe three times because he's stone cold psychopath. And I know his first one, he is going to be Daniel Rodriguez. I am speaking, of course, about Big Mouth himself, Kevin Holland, one of those active guys in the world, he should be going off the board.

And he's going off the board right here for me as my second pick. That's smart pick. I also just don't like any other welterweight option right now. So at least I shore that up for myself. And Guy, you now have two selections. Your second and third round pick is you take the wheel. Yeah. It's the last draft, I made a mistake of, I mean, it's two big mistakes.

One was picking fighters that I was hoping that they would get title shots or things like that. And they ended up not fighting like shotgun. And the other big mistake was going all Brazil. I think only two fighters on my team. That was never a mistake. One of them got me, in my Vov got me a lot of points, at least. The shot car got me none.

So now I'm going to, for my second pick, I'm going to choose someone who isn't a Brazilian. And I think there's a good chance of getting me some points. Again, but I make the same mistake of picking someone who doesn't have a fight booked. But there are two title fights on the horizon. and that fight is Jean-Weilly. She can even defend her title

against Vienna-Jangiroba or move up and fight Valentina. I hope she stays and then I think there's a good chance she wins. If she moves up, I think she loses to Valentino or maybe not.

So yeah, that's my number two. That's a great big. Straw weight's pretty thin too, so that's a good one. Yeah, yeah. And my third pick is back to two Brazilians. this so far has been a terrible year for Brazil Brazilian fighters are 0 and 8

in UFC main events so far for the first time Brazilians hasn't won main event in the first half of the year since 2017 but this man has a chance to end this course next week and that man is Tarison Techeera

if Tarison Techeleu loses to Derek Lewis Brazil is not to be winning a main event ever again so So he's going to finish Derek Lewis in a main event, probably get a bonus, and probably when I fight against again this year. So I'm very confident that this man is going to get me a ton of points this year. Damn you, that was. That was, that was, that was going to be my very next pick.

I was hoping Talasin was still on the board. Damn you, Uigh, that was going to be my heavyweight pick because it's slim pickings out third heavyweight. Yeah. I think that's a sensational pick and I really like that for you. I now get to, I have the exact wheel I wanted.

I wanted to take Kevin Holland. I assume that this person would still be there given the circumstances, but I mentioned it for your pick, Guy. Straw weight, really tough division to feel good about anything happening there just with not a lot of fights booked and sort of the landscape. There's a fight

booked for next week. weekend a massive betting favorite i think minus a thousand and given the timeline good chance to get back in there i'm speaking of course of fatima klein taking on melissa martinez fatima cline is going to win that fight handily and so in my women's strawweight selection i will be drafting fatima cline don't everybody get too excited i i recognize big name value there but sometimes you just got to do what best for business stephen not going to lose to Melissa Martinez. But we'll oh, I inadvertently gave that to Damon, which is incorrect.

But Damon Martin, you are in fact up next. So I'm actually kind of shocked he's still here, but since I have a wildcar pick, I'm going to go for because he got me a whole lot of points and I think he's going to continue to get a whole lot of points. I'm going to Michael Morales. That guy is a killer and I don't think there's anyone's going to beat him a welterway until it gets like that top. Let's say, let's say, throw him in there was Sean Brady or something.

I think he's going to continue to rack a big knockout win. is he booked right is he booked yet no no but he but he starts gilbert burns inside like two minutes or whatever so he's probably going to get booked soon and they're probably going to continue to give him fights that you know kind of fail like he'll end up getting like wonder boy or something like that next so he's you know he's going to continue winning for me so i'm going to go to michael morales with my wild card yeah definitely not a bad pair i just didn't know if he was booked or not um and so uh total total respect to that mike The self-proclaimed hipster of this draft, where are you going for pick three?

I mean, do I hipster it now? No, because I think this person is still going to be there on the way back. I'm a draft by, I mean, I'm going to have multiple. I'm going to have so many champions when a couple of months passes after Humph, UFC 319. So might as well take someone else who is not the most popular champion, but probably the most disrespected champion on the run. roster. And no matter who this guy fights, he's going to beat him, whether it's Alex

Pereira or Yuri Perashka or anybody else. But I'm already taken. Sorry. I will take, uh, I'll take Maghamed Akhalyev, uh, who will just get me the minimum amount of championship points, but we'll take him nonetheless. No, no issues with that. Again, selecting champions has proven to be a successful strategy. And maybe one of these days, the rest of us will learn. Because I, I have yet to draft a champion. It's just not what I'm into.

Casey, you are historically our champion drafter. It appears if you're to continue the momentum, this will be your welterweight selection, or are you going off the board? Are you mixing things up? So there is a welterweight champion out there. Sure is. I'm going to do it.

I'm going to pick a welterweight by the name of Jacoby Smith. Oh my top point getter last season. I look, Jacoby Smith doing big things just last week. So he's almost certainly going to get back in there again. Don't hate it at all. Joe Rogan!

Joe Rogan! If he had been bonus points for staying Joe Rogan? Can you lose points for post-fight interviews? Because Jacob Smith should have gotten minus 135 for that. Yeah, understandable. Yeah, understandable. He's just docked a point for every time he says Joe Rogan. You would have negative points.

At one point. A.K., the wheel is back to you. Two in a row. Where do you go? I can't believe I'm saying this, but you guys have made some fine picks. You guys have made some fine picks. I'm definitely holding on to my, like, secret weapon for now. Holy crap.

Where do I even go with this? Oh, no. I have an obvious. Where's the timer? Casey, I need the timer to, like, push me. Yeah, we haven't had the timer. People have been good. People have been good.

Yeah, we've been good. Yeah, yeah, 30. Yeah, yeah. That's good. That's good. Oh, goodness me. Go on. No, no, no, no.

No, no, no. Oh, okay. I'll use one on, you know, this guy, uh, it didn't work out for the first half of the season. I'm giving him another shot. I'm giving him another shot. I want, um, I want Carlos Proches.

Oh. I'm giving me another shot. It didn't work. out. You know, it didn't work out. That's fine. Very tough opponent. He's, I think, reportedly, I don't think we've confirmed yet. He's going to fight Jeff Neal. I like that for him. I see points there. Okay. Definitely point there. Second pick. Oh, boy. Second. This is so much tougher than last thing. There's a name. There's two names. I knew we're all avoiding guys because we don't think that fight's going to happen in 2025. We all know it.

We all know it. You know what? Let's go light heavy. No, let's not go light heavy. She's so terrible. She just talked himself out of it. She just said it out loud. It sounded bad. Where was the timer? Oh, gosh, five seconds. Okay. Tick. I'll do it. I'll do it. I'll do it. Say it.

I'll go. Say it. Corey Sandigan. All right. All right. That's a panic. It's a panic pick. That's a panic pick. Oh, boy. I panicked. I panicked. I panicked. I panicked.

You're on it. You run at the top is over, AK, good job. Oh, I should have gone with some of my picks actually wanted and just done it early. Oh, boy. Okay. That's okay. Three of AK's five picks are directly in opposition to other players drafted. So he is really just trying to fist fight everybody today.

And I respect that for him. Casey, you are back on the clock. Are you taking lightweight to keep the bit going over where you draft your value? I think I'm going to break up the bit And I'm going to go with a very exciting fighter Who did not fight in the last fantasy draft but was drafted The 45er Steve Garcia Oh didn't you draft him last time

Or who that was me I drafted him last time Yeah he fights Calvin Cater in a couple weeks He does and that's a bangor of a fight I love that fight. That's a, that's almost a guaranteed win for you, Casey. Good job. I like Calvin. I like Calvin.

I like Calvin. I just don't think Calvin's quite what he once was. I think we're definitely getting bonus points because that's going to be fight of the night. Yeah, because Calvin can't be finished by anybody. So I don't know how Steve. I mean, Steve could probably win a decision, which is now what you're looking for in this case. But yeah, it's tough to do. It's tough to knock out a guy who can't be knocked out.

So it should be interesting. Until they get knocked out. Click, clip Mike saying that. Max Holloway, Max Holloway hit him 800 times and could knock him out. I don't think Steve Garcia is going to talk about. Just,

just putting that out there. I guess we will see. But Mike, who are you, are you just going to go the other way? You're just going to take Calvin Cater and say, F it. Here we go.

Where are you going, Mike? Yeah, come on Boston. Let's go Boston guy. Calvin Cater. Calvin Cater just runs out of time. Just asks Yusuf Salal. He just ran out of time. If that was a five-round fight, he would have won.

Anyways, I'm stunned that I'm going to get this guy. I truly am shocked that I'm going to get this Bantibwait, a former world champion who has, is taking a pretty significant step back in his next fight. He's going to beat Marcus McGee. Pierre Jan, let's go. It's a great pick. I was

Jan was not in my immediate you know sort of looking glass but I love the pick for you I love it I do think he's going to beat Margus McGee very very solid a steel to pick up in the fourth round like this Damon

you you no longer can take Piotr Yan but you can take almost anyone else who are you picking I'm going with the same philosophy as Mike in this pick I'm going to the guy I think is going to win he's already in the main event I'm going with Tatsuia Tyra at Flyway. I think he's going to beat him.

You're Al-Bosie, and there's a main event win for you. Good call. That one, not going to lie to you, Damon, that one kind of hurts me. I'm not a huge fan of the decisions you've made there because I was going to try and sneak that man here on the wheel. So he is going to win that. And I've just been a big supporter of Tyra. So well done.

Congratulations on your 175 points that you're going to get there. And now that puts me under the gun, and I don't, I got to look at this board here, running out of options for a couple of these weight classes that I would really like to have. So let's just go ahead and take the one I've been thinking about. A gentleman who is also fighting next weekend and who I would be plumb surprised if he didn't make another appearance because the UFC, I mean, they're going to Paris. and this man is going to attend that event. I'm speaking, of course, of Morgan Chahriye. He is taking on Nate Landware at UFC Nashville, and we all know Nate the train how he fights.

So I think Shahri is going to get a lot of points there and then make a somewhat quick turnaround, at least for the Paris card. So give me Morgan Chachrye as my featherweight combatant, and that brings us to Gareme Cruz. It's getting tough. It's getting tough. It's too complicated. But again, I mean not to be just, I can't be less. That's it.

So speaking of UFC Paris, I'm going to select, yeah, here I am back to the Brazilians. I'm going to love this for you. Unfortunately, I think he's only going to fight once this year, and that's UFC Paris, because no one wants to find him. And that's Cairo Hohalo. I think he's going to beat Imavovao in the main event. But maybe you're in a title shot but not get that this year. So that's just one type for him, but at least it's a UFC man event.

And he's going back down to Benz-O-8. I'm going to pick this violent little man called Vinicius Olivera Lock Dogg. Yeah. He's fighting this month against Carla Phillips. So that's a good chance he fights twice again this year. He's on a role in the UFC. He's a great fighter. Great chance of getting bonuses as well.

So, yeah, Vinista Olivier. Did no one take Olivera? No one took Oliver in the last draft. Interesting. I mean, yeah, Loke Dog is an absolute animal. and I'm a huge supporter, Guy, of just living the dream and just exclusively selecting Brazilians. It makes it really easy to draft with you because it's like, I know who I need to take early or I can like, yeah, Guy will go here. And then puts me in a spot to...

Are you saying I'm predictable? That's what you're saying. Yes, but in a good way, in a way that I love and respect. Because it allows us to... In a good way, because you're a nevim got to win, so it's a good way. I mean, I have not come close to winning through two seasons. So I hopefully this will be the year that I at least get in get on the podium. Who's going to get me on the podium?

That's a really tough question right now because the board is is getting thin out there, fellas. I don't I don't love a lot of options out there. Clock. You're going to have to shock me here, Casey, because it's up there. Okay. I think I might be able to wheel this person. Nope, we're just going to commit to the same strategy that I'm working on. I'm really trying to double dip.

And we have a gentleman here who is going to be competing. Is it next? Is he competing? Let me take a look when he is competing. I think it's at 318. It is at UFC 318. He is going to win that fight. And then I suspect, given his heritage,

who he is he will make a return in September for Noce UFC speaking about the lightweight Daniel Zellhuber he's taking on Michael Johnson going to finish Michael Johnson and then hopefully get a ranked opponent at Noce in a couple of months. I'm happy to hear you say that Casey

because I thought about leaving him and hoping I could get him a little bit later but I you know just stick with my bit so Daniel Zell Huber come on down and we move on to Damon and Martin. I'm gambling on a guy who doesn't have a fight book, but he fought in March. So I'm assuming he's going to fight pretty soon.

And I'm probably going to, I think he's going to fight. And he's not going to get a top guy quite yet. So I'm going for my lightweight. I'm going with Maricio Rufi coming off his big knockout win over King Green. I think he's got a couple more knockouts where they start really throwing him to the wolves of lightweight. He's been sorry to be rumored with people. So I'm, I'm certain that he will at least get one for you.

And that dude is electric. How can you be upset with that pick? Mike, what do you think of Damon's pick and where are you going with your pick? Well, I know I'm going to have one person upset with me and I'm going to be going head to head with somebody else. We're heading to China. We're heading to Shanghai. And I'm going to select a man who people may be shocked that I'm selecting from my team based on some of the things I've said about this man in the past. But you cannot deny that he is fighting often and he's winning all.

of his fights, even though they're not fights, we would typically go back and watch again. He is also the last heavyweight to get a finish in a UFC fight. Welcome to the team salsa boy, Waldo Cortez Acosta, because ladies a gentleman, you're fighting Sergey Pavlovich. All you have to do is tackle this man and you win. It's just that simple. But can he? Can salsa boy tackle him? Oh, he will fold under the immense bombs of my big Russian monster. If he could handle Rebellus to Spain and his bombs, I think he'll be okay.

I suspect that Sergey Pavlovich is at least a slightly better defensive wrestling. Was the point stands. Did we mention at the beginning of the show that Waldo, the undrapped, that Waldo who did not go drafted in the first half of the season was the number one heavyweight point getter? Do we mention

that? He was. I feel like that's crazy. Number one heavyweight point getter. So, I mean, it's hard to argue with that. I have the list of point getters pulled up in front of me. Several have already been drafted. And Waldo Cortez-Costa, I mean, value pick in the middle rounds for sure. That brings us to E. Casey Lydden.

Okay. I hate when I was just focused on Zell-Huber, and then once you took that, I'm just like, I don't know who any of these people are now. I feel like I'm just lost. I'm just lost. So because we're on a shot clock here, I will, I'm going to stick to my gimmick and I'm picking. I feel bad even saying his name.

Manel Cop. Come on down. Oh. You really are sticking to the gimmick. I'm a huge fan of Manel Cop. I thought you're going to pick Bryce Mitchell again. No, no, no, no. I don't hate myself that much.

I mean that really look if he ever fights he's electric it's just whether it just yeah I think I get 275 points from last but it's just I couldn't have got more I think it was you had an opportunity to get a whole lot I will say based on his social media looks like he's healing up probably will fight so a little speculative but that's fine never heard anybody AK, we are to you with two in a row here. Your picks five and six. Man, I got to go with my vibes here. I'm going to heavyweight.

I'm bringing in a heavyweight. I don't know when this guy's going to fight, but I'm sure he'll fight for the end of the year and I'm sure he's going to finish someone as long as that person is not Curtis Blades. Give me Jelton. Jelton. Oh, Jailton was a big get for me last time.

I want it. He is posturing. You know who's coming to my team. You'll know that. Yep. Fair enough. The future heavyweight champion. Almeda's posturing hard to fight against anybody at Abu Dhabi, the later one.

So, and look, we know the man's about. So a good first pick, but where's your second pick go? Boy, I'm in the doldrums here. I think I have to go light heavy. I think I have to go light heavy. This guy's getting into points. I'm nearly certain he's giving me some points. Let's go with.

Nope, nope. I'll change your mind. I'm going with the guy's not booked yet. I'm going with guys not booked yet. I'm taking Osama and Mersikanov. Oh. I'm taking Osama. He will be booked in a ranked fight.

He'll be booked in a ranked fight. Wow. Well, he keeps trying to be booked in ranked fights and then they don't. How do you spell Mersakanoff? M-U-R-Z-A. I'm going to hope that I did well enough there. He was on my board. I just got scared because he just fought a month ago.

And so I kind of got worried that maybe he wouldn't get like if he fights, it won't be told the end of the year. So I was kind of worried about timing. So he was on my board. That's a good pick. I just, I was scared he wasn't going to fight soon. When he fights,

he kills people. So totally understandable. Let's see. And Casey, that brings us back to you, the middle, we are in the middle area, the sixth pick of the draft.

How you, how you going here? I'm going to go guaranteed points. I'm going guaranteed one fight. I don't think he's going to win, but I'm going guaranteed points. Dustin Porreier. Oh

Respect and you don't think he's going to win In his retirement fight Wow Guaranteed points I mean you're gonna get main event or you're you're gonna get main event title title fight title fight title fight and you're almost certainly going to get fight of the fight of the fight of the night performance bonus so I will get one that is a point that that is a point he was certainly on my board as well even though he's obviously fighting the ones but a lot of upside there don't hate to pick at all mike heck back to you

this might be like i feel really good about this pick uh this is kind of a hipster pick but i think it's going to pay off at a big way he is he's just done some great work thus far it's he's about to compete in his third fight since coming to the ufc in october of 2024 he's already got a bonus he's already got a ranked win and now he's fighting a top 10 guy very, very soon. I'm talking about one of the more exciting, up-and-coming fly weights in the UFC, who's going to get me at least two fights

and he's going to beat the number nine ranked Asu Almabayev on July 26th. I'm talking about Ramazan Temerov. Ramazan Tim. When is he fighting? UFC Abu Dhabi July 26th. Already ranked number 13. He's going to be a top 10 guy come July

and then he's going to get out of the big fight before the end of the year. maybe two. So double dip. You definitely have the double dip option. Like that is absolutely an option available to you there. Reasonable. Reasonable get in the middle rounds as we move on to Damon Martin.

Damon, you have selected really in the bulk as looking at your board. No heavy, no light heavy, no middle. And no women drafted. Are you finally going to draft a woman or are you just going for the heavy? You selected in the good weight classes.

is are you going how are you branching out here so i'm going with a guy that i'm feeling pretty confident he's going to get a win pretty soon and it's going to probably be a knockout it's not a it's not a rank fight but i'm just trying to get points and so i'm going to go with middleweight marco tullio who is probably going to finish what's left of michel perera in a couple weeks uh because poor michel perrara doesn't have a lot left so i think i think uh marco tullio marco tilli mr Mr. Dumont, if you will, Mr. Dumont,

to be will, he's, I think he's going to, I think he's going to beat Michelle pretty handily, so. That was nasty. The disrespect for Demolito.

That was nasty. I don't, I don't care for you disrespecting Demolador in that bathroom. I didn't like that either, Jed. I didn't like that. I didn't like what he's after.

A.K. and I long time, Michelle Paheta fans, and you have, you've thrown the gauntlet down. That's what you've done. I won't be defending that. with my next choice.

That's a besmirching. That's a straight-up a smirching. Absolutely. And I am going to allow it. I will not be taking Michelle Paheta in my wild card selection. I don't know who I'm going to take. It does feel like there are some options out there

that at least feel somewhat decent about this is who this sucks. I hate all of the things available to me right now. I guess I should, I should just shore up the women's divisions because happens knows there's not a huge amount of options here. And so give me a personal favorite of mine, a woman fighting next weekend as well, someone I'm very high on is her long-term prospects. And because she's just fun as hell. Give me at flyweight, Carly Judee's, for my women's flyweight selection. the crowd goes wild everyone's so excited about the women jet strapped in i like the pick we move on

the gear may cruise who will probably who's she fighting who's she fighting uh carly judez is fighting who is she fighting hold on wow great question this is electrifying pick uh well welcome calliari that's who it is again somebody i don't know she's going to kill her because collie jesus is cool uh so electrifying pick thank you going to I get a lot of points from Carl Judez, who's mean and cool. And we're on to Guy. Yeah. Man.

So I'm not picking up Brazilian right now. Yes. I'm not picking a Brazilian. It's well to wait. Yeah. Okay. It's almost a Brazilian right now. It's Ian Machado Gary.

He's coming up a big winner of a Carlos Pratt. He's taking fights on short and orders all the time. So there's a good chance. he fights twice this year, maybe. And he's a big name, so he could headline the UFC event whenever he fights. So it's a good chance of points. But again, make the same mistake of taking fighters that don't have fights booked. So I'm dumb.

But that's it. Yeah, he and Masha DeGarry, the Brazilian Irish welterweight for my team. Not dumb, not dumb, because he's definitely going to fight again this year. Yeah. And like, if something happens, Islam, he'll be a ranked opponent. Yeah. Not done at all, but you do have another pick to follow that up with, Guy. Yes.

And again, a fighter that doesn't have a fight vote. But I selected Zhang Wei because he's definitely fighting for a title. It is defending her or moving up to fight Valentina. And if she doesn't move up to fight Valentina, the next one in the line is Natalya Silva. but who I think has a decent chance of becoming champions. So welcome to my team, Natalia Silva. Sorry, Mike Haack, but she's on my team now, Natalia Silva. Who is she fighting?

She's not fighting anyone right now. No one yet. No one yet. No one, yeah. But there's a good chance to fight Valentina if she doesn't do the super fight. Which I don't think they are going to do that because I don't know. Yeah, but she's going to fight. Even if she's like, she's fighting for the Belves.

She's got to fight a ranked opponent and she's going to win. So reasonable, totally reasonable pick. And that I was honestly not paying attention because I'm trying to figure out who to draft on my team because I hate, which makes me a bad host of this show. But I'm trying to win. That Carly Judy's pick, I think, threw you all off out of sorts, Jed. I don't know if that, that might have hurt your rhythm. I'm going to be honest. No, because like Carly Judis is who I wanted because I don't think there are any good flyway choices.

the problem is there are no good women's bantam weight choices either and I'm trying to find one and I'm just going to punt on it because like I don't think Kayla Harrison to Mananuna as are fighting this year so what would the point be in thinking that like if I knew that fight was happening I'd snap up Kayla Harrison right now but make it happen make it happen Jed I think that that would be a waste of of my time and my energy um how do we do we I want to go to a wild card? Where do I want to go? Shit fire and save the damn matches. I hate everything that's around here. You know what? So I don't get a shot clock called on me. Let's be a little speculative.

I haven't done a lot of that. But this man who I suspect will fight at least once in the coming year. And I would pick him to beat anybody other than the champion in his weight class right now. and since I know he won't be fighting the champion, can feel pretty good about this fellow. I am speaking, of course, of the former men's flyweight champion, Brandon Moreno. Come on down, Brandon Moreno.

Take my flyweight spot. Hopefully he gets booked in the next couple of months. And at least for like the no-cha card, hopefully that would be nice. So feeling not that bad about, he's the best of bad options. Damon, where are you going? I just realized I'm the only one. one who hasn't picked a heavyweight yet and the pickings are getting pretty slim out there. And I don't think anyone's going to take a heavyweight is their wild card.

But I got to pick a guy that I think is at least going to win. And, you know, I guess get some points. So I'm taking a risk here, but I'm throwing it out there. I'm going with Marchine Tybiora, who I think is going to beat former PFL champion, Ante Delugia. Okay. Wow. Look, that's just, that's how you fill out a roster.

Just a guy who's going to get you 125 points, 150. I mean, it's better than the other options of heavyweight, is all I'm saying. Him watching Toborah lose a split decision to Deletia is going to be one of the most mortifying experiences of 2025 for you. That's a year off. And Delagia is probably going to be ranked before his debut because this division sucks. So we could. Then you get some extra points if Tybor can find a way to win.

I love that for you. Mike, we are in the back half. of the draft now and you have all your women's divisions you have 170 you have 145 left available where are you going jed what's what's our favorite rule in in fisticuffs what do we always tell fighters and coaches to do cheat right cheat always find a way find a way to bend the rules oh my god you're about to do it that's what i'm about to do right now ladies and gentlemen because this guy is ranked as a welterweight in the UFC rankings. And in my last conversation with him, he said, no matter what happens and moving forward,

he might take another middleweight fight, but I'm a welterweight through and through. So because this man is ranked at welterweight, I'm going to draft him as my welterweight. Michael Venom page is going to be my welterweight selection. Because guess what, he's ranked at welterweight, even though he's got a middleweight fight coming up. So I can probably get two divisions out of this man. so why the hell not? Because he's going to beat Jared Cairnoneer

and that fight's not going to be fun to watch but he's going to win. So I'll go ahead and cheat a little bit and take MVP. You know, I just, I got nothing but respect for this. MVP was on my list, but he was on my middleweight list.

But I mean, I think this is absolutely a fair selection at Welterweight. I do think he's going to be Jared Cannonier. You're not going to be getting any bonus points for that, mind you. You will just be getting ranked win points. That's okay. That's okay. A win is a win.

I'm sure. It's also MVP. So, you know, like, none of us were going to jump and be like, oh, no, he can't draft a Michael Venom page. Oh, no, we can't allow this. That wasn't going to happen. A win is a win, and I do think that that is a win on paper for you. So congratulations, Mike.

MVP is now part of your roster. Casey, you have Bantam weight and then your three women's divisions, is that, and your wild car. I really like how we all, every one of, avoided the women's division for as long as possible. Speculative. I'm going, I'm just going for it. It could be the worst pick, but I'm hoping Tatiana Swarrest,

a straw weight. Ooh. She should fight again theoretically. I mean, this is Tatiana Swarres. She might not fight for four more years. She fought, she fought in February. That means she's probably going to come back in 2027. So it might be a bit of arrest.

I'm, I'm hoping. He did say speculative. He recognized the danger here. But I see big upside. I mean, she did go a competitive five rounds against, I think, the pound-for-pound woman's champ right now. So still believe in her. I didn't jump off the bandwagon yet. But Tatiana Swartz, I believe in you.

Respect the call. And AK, that brings you to two selections in a row here. Yeah. I'm so happy, actually. Like, yes, we, you know, obviously most of us saved our, women's division picks for last, but I'm actually really excited to get the ones I'm getting.

So this is one I thought was on Mike's radar. I knew none of us would pick her in the first five rounds or whatever. I am really looking forward to the debut of Kennedy Freeman. Give me Kennedy Freeman. What weight class is that?

Draw weight, I believe. Oh, really? Buddy, I don't. This is your pick. I believe, no, no, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I have a missed. This is your pick.

You need to know the weight class. She's a bad of weight, by the way. Yeah, that's my thought. She is a bantam. Or a fly. I think her fights is a flyweight. Her debut is a flyweight. Yes, she was fighting Eunicey Dumas.

No, because I put Charlie Judice in my spot for some reason. I just wanted her, Charlie Judez that badly, so I got confused. No, Kennedy Freeman, my women's flyweight. She is going to, she's going to smash Yunae Zubin and maybe fight again for the end of the year. So the daughter of Ian Freeman, I'm telling you is going to get me some point. I have so much confidence in you as you. thought she was a straw weight. You definitely have a great.

No, you're scared. Cage Warriors' Bannaway champion. That's right. That's right. Guaranteed success, by the way, when you're a champion in Cage Warriors. And thank goodness she's not fighting a Bant to Weight

because I do have Bantyweight pick next. I just can't quit her. Meyer of Brunnel Silva. Yeah. He's not done. He's not done. She's back at Bantamweight. She's back at Bantamweight.

She's fighting Jocelyn Edwards. I mean, Jocelyn Edwards is ranked, so she beats her. It's a ranked opponent. I mean, come on. Come on. I didn't know what to make of my bonus silver.

Honestly, I was like, I would draft her if I have to. And in this white class, you might have to. She's back, man. Reasonable. On like a four-fighting there's a street. So, yeah. Fighting her. I mean, that's terrific.

She was a fighting nurse in her last fight. It didn't go that well. She shouldn't have fought a 125. The fighting nerd team doesn't talk about like Karini Silva, the other. No. It's only, it's only. Yeah. Kyle Barlio and John Silva,

Maurice Rufi. Casey, we're back to you. You still have bantam weight and then women's bantam weight, women's flyweight, and your wild card selection. I am going for my pick. I am going with a lady that

she was a late pick for me last draft and she's going to be a late pick for me this draft and she went two and no. She fought twice. So I believe she will fight at least. once, maybe twice. She's not even booked yet, but I'm going Wang Song, women's flyway. Oh.

I mean, if she gets booked, you expect her to get a favorable matchup, so. Fair and reasonable. Mike, are you finally going to draft a woman, or will you round out your men's selection with your featherweight choice? I'm torn here. I'm torn. I am going to draft a woman, but it's just one of two. but I don't know which one.

Because one is owed a favor. Yeah, I'm going with my highest point getter of last season. I'm going with Jackson and Jazz DeVizius. This is a steal later in the round. She's probably going to fight Rose Dame of Eunice, and she's got beat the hell out of Rosemite Eunice. So give me Jazz and Jazz DeVizius. Might even get two fights out of her, so I'll take it.

I think I did at least reasonably well on that name. I may not have been perfect, but we spelled it as close as we can without spell checking things right now. And Damon Martin, that puts you back on the table. You have light heavyweight, women's bantam weight.

I'm sorry, light heavy weight and all your women's weight classes. I cannot wait for this. I cannot wait for this. I'm sticking with my pick from the last draft because I think she's going to fight, she's going to win, it's going to be a decision,

but it's going to be a ranked opponent. So I'm sticking with the other side of my middleweight pick. I'm going to go with his girlfriend slash maybe wife, I'm not sure which. Norma Dumont, I think she's going to fight. I've heard of her. She's going to fight relatively soon. I think I know who she's fighting. So I'm pretty sure she's going to win.

So I'm going Norma Dumont. I'm sticking with her. sticking with her. Bringing a little inside info to the table for Damon Martin. That's, that's. And we know she's not. She doesn't have a fight. She's not fighting.

She's not going to fight Kayla or Amanda Nunes. I have a lot of confidence. She actually has a chance to win. Yeah. And that puts me on the stock again. And man, I don't like a lot of my options here. Okay, I got a couple bannam weights. I could choose from.

So we'll let that go, especially because Bannam weight some options. I think I just have to select a women's bannam weight because they're, there are four of them so I got to find one and I might as well at least take one who is booked and thus could perhaps score me points. The question is

do I think Carol Hosa or Nor Cornoli is going to win that fight and I'm going to I'll tell you what I'm going to do we're going to flip a coin here right now and see what the outcome is and we will draft as a result of this.

So flip that coin. Oh Norah Cornoli is the draft selection. Come on a women's band, wait. Carol Hosa could absolutely win that fight, but why not? Norcoeoli, come on down. That brings us to Guy. You've got two of your final four selections here. Yeah.

So the first one is going to be a fighter that, again, doesn't have a fight book, at least in a Brazilian. So adding another non-Brazil with my team. And there's a fighter that is in a tricky spot in the UFC. But he's going to get a big fight regardless. But when that's going to happen? Who the hell knows? But maybe something happens when he's a backup fighter for the BMF title.

And he gets a fight. So, Amund Saruka, who knows where in his fighting, grew his fighting, but he's getting, at least fighting a wrecked opponent when he does, hopefully this year. So, yeah, Amun Sarukian is my lightweight. That's good. And that's honestly an incredible pick. Yeah, I like that pick.

Because he's going to win whoever he fights, and it's going to be somebody ranked. That's a great pick. No bonus is good. Yeah. Totally forgot that he was like even on the board. That feels like maybe the steel of the draft thus far. It could be. Honestly, it could be.

Yeah. And L.I. Heavyweight. There are not a ton of fights booked, but he's going to fight again this year, at least once. And when he does, probably a main event,

very likely bonus. Give me Jiri Prohaskar. Fuck. I'm sorry, poop. Sorry, range for that. Yeah.

Jiri was I think he was just going to be next because I'm I'm lacking a light heavyweight and even though he's not booked year he's been my boy forever and he would kill Carlos Goldberg if they get there also year he won of four light heavyweight two were top points earners last season along with Zhang Ming Yang and I don't think you would ever guess the other two one of them was Alonzo minifield so yep I was got to guess that one fight of the night yeah two wins and a fight of the night there and a ranked has added some points.

That brings it back to me of my remaining three selections. I have white heavy. It's true wild. I've got light heavy weight. I've got Bannon Wade and I've got Wildcard. Obviously we can let

a wild card go. We don't need to get early there. Light heavyweight. I've got two options, but I think really I have one. option and it's a man who performed pretty well for me last time we're going to have him he's he's on a good solid run don't love his opponent as he's going to face nikita krillov here in a couple

of weeks but i do i love me some noho hank and uh three finishes in a row he may well get another fight give me bogged and guskov as my light heavyweight contender and we move to damon martin Well, you just took my pick because I was saying, hell yeah. I was going, I was going to, I'm going to stick with light heavyweight, and I'm just going with the chances that he fights again, and he's looked good lately. So maybe they give him Alonzo Menefield, and that's another win.

I don't know, but here we go. I'm going to go with Dominic Reyes for my light heavyweight. Yes, I love this thing. He could fight for the title. He might be fighting for the title this year. That's a good pick. That seems unlikely, but you never. know, but I don't think that's a bad dick whatsoever.

He's going to fight again. And he's, look, he's on a windstreet, Damon, a win, the resurgence of the Dominator. I mean, light heavyweight is so bad that like, you know, they're not going to give him Yerry again, obviously, and they're not going to give him a title shot. So he has a really good chance to just nuke who ever he fights. Fair enough. Mike, we are back to you.

You still have featherweight, women's bantam weight, and straw weight as your options. We're going to go straw away, Jed Beshu. We're going to go straw away. We're going to go with one of the rapid risers in this division. She is on a four-fight win streak. She just beat the soul out of and then a retired Marina Rodriguez. She's got to get at least one more fight, probably two. And she's breaking all sorts of records in the process. Jillian Robertson will be my selection. Very good pick. Respect that all the way. She's not booked, is she? She is not currently, but she'll be booked suit. would guess. Happy Canada Day. Happy Canada Day. That's right. Happy Canada Day. Casey, not a lot of Canadians

out there for you to celebrate Canada Day with, but you could go off the board. You could just pick Mike Milott as your wildcard guy if you're if you're feeling froggy. Where are you going? You have bantam weight, women's bantam weight and wild card left. So the two bannam weights and the wild card. I'm going for the male. I'm picking a male bantam weight. And, And speculative pick, he's not booked, but he will fight this year. Umar and Omega Madoff. I mean, you're getting great value as far as talent and ability goes. He's just got to get booked.

Plus, I mean, there's an Abu Dhabi card in October. Seems at least fair chance that he might make an appearance there. Good solid pick, drafting for value, AK, not your final two selections, but two of your two of final three are coming here in this wheel. You still need featherweight, straw weight, and wild card. Well, my favorite picks,

I got to go with one of my favorite straw weights right now. Alexia Tyner, not schedule. Damn you, AK. Yeah. She is so awesome, and I hope she gets a fight. And yeah, she's a finisher, man, at 1.15, so love her.

And then, what's my other division left? Oh, featherweight. Featherweight and wildcard are you remaining, too. Listen, I'm going crazy here. I don't believe this at all. I don't think this guy's going to win. But if he does, this is such an insanely high value pick. Give me Aaron Pico.

Give me Aaron Pico. Let's do it. I don't think he wins. I think he gets Evloevd. I think he has a really good chance to win. What? I was considering Pico for my wild card pick, so I don't hate that at all for you. Casey, your penultimate pick, Bantamweight or Wildcard?

I'll put the clock up because I respect that I'm picking a woman's belt Bantam weight speculative she will I'm hoping she'll fight and it will be a ranked opponent and she'll probably win and won't get any bonuses or anything but it's going to be

going to be on Rocky Pennington oh interesting I think she's good to lose at this she's not going to do more there's a there's a head-to-head matchup i was just going to say i think is that is that was that booked or is that that's that's that's that's no it's not that's a rumor oh okay okay yeah that's the rumor got you interesting oh my former champion not a bad selection to ever put champions on your

squad mike looking at your squad you have one champion i'm sorry two champions and a former champion and a hamzaa shemai who will never be champion so long as drickas dupl draws breath through that surgically repaired nose. You need a featherweight. You need a women's bantam weight. Where are you going? Well, I'm going to add a guy who is going to be a champion at some point. Might be the end of this year.

Might be 2025. Eventually, Dana White will actually know who this person is. And I'm sorry, AK, we're going head to head. We're going with the man who's going to, unfortunately, hand the great Aaron Pico, his first UFC loss. I'm going with Bob Zarev-Bloy. Yeah, right. good good selection

uh bonus finish it's gonna all happen bonus in a finish now that he's predicting a big win over aaron pico i'm excited to see how that comes to fruition uh damon we are almost out of here you have fly women's flyweight and straw weight left for you where you going i'm just taking a shot here because she didn't get to fight and so they're going to have to book her before the end of the year i just don't have a lot of confidence on who she's going to fight her who she's going to beat hopefully, but

I'm going to go with Aaron Blanchfield. I don't think they're going to let her sit out after the whole Macy Barber disaster. So I think she's going to fight somebody. And I like Aaron Blanchfield a lot. So I think she's probably going to win. So I'll pick her from my flyweight. Good pick. I don't think that's a bad pick at all. You know I am the

driver of the Aaron Blanchfield train. So I have Bantamweight and I have Wildcard left. And the question of Phantom weight is how bold do I want to be versus how much do I just want to, you know, stick to my guns, stay with the things that I know, be confident in my selections. And I'm going to try something a little fun, a little interesting, because this man scored a billion points.

He is not currently booked. Fought recently, so he could get booked soon. I would hope that he is going to be active again this year. Actually, I'm talking myself out of that. maybe I should. No, screw it. Let's have fun. Malcolm Wellmaker, the true machine of a hundred and thirty-five pan.

He's just awesome, and I hope that that means the UFC's going to put him in there a bunch and let him cook for a little while, because we need to get him moving on through this weight class. And then that leaves me free to select anyone my heart desires my final pick. But that's not yet because, Gierme, you have your last two picks. You need a women's bantamweight, and you have your wild card selection. available. Close out your draft here, Guy. We must ban to it, man. How does this division still exist?

But yeah, I'm struggling between who-who-hoo. Just pick the twerker. Come on. You know you want to pick the twer, gee? We got Glee cursing other languages. That's not even his native language, and he's cursing it. That's how much he hates his division. Wow. I mean, someone already selects Maida Buenos Silva, yes?

Who did that? Of course. Your fellow MBS supporter. Yes, Giazzi. Yes. And the other one was Nora Cornolo. Who's like that one? I took Norocono.

Take who she's fighting, Ghee. Yeah, Jed, I'm sorry. I'm taking Carajosa. Because she's going to win that one. I mean, you got to. You have to. Look, I flipped the, I didn't select it. The coin selected it.

I left it up to the gods, and they picked Norquinole. So that's how we go. And for my, my, my wild card. Do what you got to do. Yeah. And for my, my walk card, I have literally a list here of potential names that I could choose. Yeah.

But I'm going to, with one that. his headlining card he's probably going to win so he's probably going to fight again this year I'm going with Fluffy Anthony Hernandez who's fighting Roman Dolis and it's a made of Ed pick

good pick yes yeah great pick it was literally my plan I was like oh no one's going to take Fluffy in a wild car is fine get there

he's not Brazilian why would he take him of course he won't. Take Roman DeLizze. That totally cooks me now. Take Roman, take Roman. No, because Flavie's going to kill Roman DeLizze. It'd be a waste of a pick.

That's not my problem. You might fight a heavyweight you, Jed. I had all these in plans, and now they're gone, and I don't know what to do. You have to shop. You had the clock up. If you don't pick, this clock goes out, you're picking Roman. I'm not picking Roman. That's ridiculous.

I'm so upset right now. You have 20 seconds. I'm so upset right now. Why did you do that, Ging? I don't respect what this 10 seconds for us Roman. I'm not sorry. I don't like this.

I'll take the other middleweight who did well. Give me Becowev. God damn it. Oh, you're jerked. Oh, you're chirk. I'm so fucking mad. Oh, you bastard. I have to take Osama of Becow.

Dude, Bechle is a great pick. Begloids are great. Not as good as Gottiare, but that's a great pick. God dang it's a fine pick. He's definitely going to beat Torres Finney. He's going to get a bonus. He's going to bite again. Wow.

Oh, wow. Oh, he's going to kill Vinny. Like, are you hearing this shit? He's going to beat Torres Finney, but it's just like, come on. I had Fluffy. Fluffy was going to be. 3027. It lends one significant strike.

It's going to be incredible. And I'll just. be mad at Guy. I'll just be furious at Guy for him putting me in. I didn't have another name. I was like I'm getting fluffing good. I'm done. I don't have to think. And then he's like, I'm taking, in hell.

Oh my God, I'm so upset by that. Damon, you have to pick a straw weight. So my instinct was because I do adore her, but she doesn't have a fightbook. My instinct was McKinsey Dern because I think she's going to get booked. She hasn't fought since January, but she doesn't have a fight

book, which worries me. So I'm going with a fighter who has a fight booked and I'm feeling pretty confident in a win it's not a high ranking win but it's a win I'm going with none other than Sam Page herself Sam Hughes she's booked against Sean Abannon that should be a win

that should be a win that should be a win she's fighting Sean Abannon oh man that's a definite win that's a great thing I'm going with Sam Page herself she's fighting on the France card against against Sean Abandon so I feel pretty good about that one. Oh my God.

Mike, you are left with women's bantam weight and are you just going to do it? Are you going to say let's let's roll the dice on the Kayla Harrison lottery or what's the plan here? No. No. You could get Kayla Harrison as a last pick, which could be big value. No.

I don't think it's going to happen this year. I don't think it's an hour. I agree. Put the clock on him, Casey. Yeah, clock's up, clocks up. God, I should take her though. Because what if it does happen. Amanda. Or you can just take Kayla in case Amanda doesn't come back so they have to do opinion. Do I take, do I take Jacqueline Cavalcante for a possible like 75 points? Or do I risk it all for Kayla to main event and fight for a belt and get a win? Two seconds. Kail Harrison. I'll do it.

Oh, I love it. That's for the content right there. Doing it for the content. We love it. It's It's worth the risk. Like, is her, is her a Jacqueline Cavalcanti? And if Kayla fights, then it doesn't matter. Jacqueline can fight three times and one Kayla fight will surpass what she does. So I'll take, I'll take the risk. Casey, you have wild cars. If it wasn't for the Nunes, if it wasn't for the Nunes factor, I would have definitely taken Kayla.

But I'm scared that that fight's not going to happen until next year. Same. Exactly. Yeah. Mike, you can feel good about that pick, though, when you go to sleep tonight, though. You'll feel better than that if you had picked Jacqueline and Calvacanti. You're like, you know what? no, you did the right thing.

You did the right thing. You did the right thing. Casey, wild card selection for the penultimate selection of the 2025 season three draft. Let me put the clock up because I don't have a pick in my head. Right. Just go with Roman DeLise. You know you want to. Jacqueline Cavalcante.

So many guys. So many actually like big name fighters that just haven't been picked yet. but this this drafts had a lot of big names no no I don't know if these people are fighting

yeah it's just like who's Sean Brady fighting is he fighting say in your Magavanov you have Alex fit it all there but who knows I shouldn't take it Ferreira that would have been fun at least

big Connor he's definitely coming back Torres Fiddy the clock is expired calling shock on you come on Brian Campbell I don't know why I'm picking him, but

Stop it Robocon Gregor O'Regis Roboc I don't hate that He said like six names at once Happy of the year He said

He said he definitely He said he definitely He said he just killed Jackermanson He'll fight again I don't hate that at all. He got me a ton of points. And then that's drafts.

So totally reasonable selection there. And that brings us to the final pick of this draft. Alexander Kaye, Kaylee, your back-to-back champion with a wild card choice. Do it, AK. Mike, you know what I'm doing. I'm so glad. I'm so glad his opponent was, I'm so glad his opponent was picked earlier because I had this pick like locked in my wild card a long time ago.

You got to do it for the content. You got to do it for the last. undefeated future middleweight champion Torres Finney. Let's go. I'd do it. You got to do it. Dude, they can't lens or Torres Vini on this.

He might fight. He's already booked against, against Pekoyev, and he might fight twice. I'm just saying, he might fight twice. I mean, it's going to be hard after what Bekoav does to him, but I terrific, gentlemen, well done, proud of everybody.

How are we all feeling as before we get out of here? How are we feeling about our teams? I'm feeling much better than I did last track. So I had a couple, couple, couple good picks in there, a couple champions. And, uh, yeah, so I'm feeling pretty good. I feel terrible.

I'm just happy. I got a great last time and that didn't go well. I felt better. I'm so happy. Yeah, I got fluffy. Fluffy was the, my, my, my main choice. So happy with that. Uh,

I'm very unhappy with a lot of things that happen in this draft, but I've been happy and failed before. Thank you, fellas, for indulging us in this as we move to the next season, which will begin. I think by the time this drops, it'll be the weekend or, you know, next weekend as opposed to 12 days from now, whatever it is, at the time we film this. Godspeed to everybody other than AK,

we cannot have him win three in a row. He would never let us hear the end of the end of the time. it. So I'm really rooting for everyone that's not Torres, Fini, Alexander Kay Lee. Until then, thank you all for tuning in, and we will see you next time. Love y'all. You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network.