MMA Fighting - On To the Next One: Matches To Make After UFC 255

Episode Date: November 22, 2020

In the 19th episode of On to the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee put on their matchmaker hats following Saturday's UFC 255 event at the UFC APEX. Mike and AK react to Deiveson Figueiredo's next title defense being on the books against fellow event winner Brandon Moreno at UFC 256. Future fights were then discussed for Alex Perez, women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, Jennifer Maia, Tim Means, Katlyn Chookagian, Paul Craig, Joaquin Buckley and more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee 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

You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network. There, everybody, and welcome to a brand new edition of On to the Next One, MMA Fighting's Matchmaking Podcasts. We try as best as we can to make sense in regards to the What's Next? Following UFC 255 on Saturday night, we had two title fights. Both Davidson Figito and Valentina Shepchenko went into the UFC Apex as champions. They both left the UFC Apex as champions, and we'll talk the futures for them. and other notable names from the UFC's second to last pay-per-view of the year. I am Mike Heck, being joined as always by the co-host, the co-matchmaker,

the best friend, and the Prince of Positivity, Mr. Alex Kaley. Hello, sir, greetings and salutations on this Thanksgiving week. Yes, Mike, my best friend, happy fake American Thanksgiving up here in Canada. We have already done Thanksgiving. It was fabulous. We did it. For anyone who doesn't, we do it in the same month as Halloween. We do it in October as God intended.

but I think it's very cute that you guys like to space your holidays apart and get the most out of them. So, yes, happy Thanksgiving to you guys down there. Mike, I mean, look, I don't say this episode is going to start off in a way that we've never really had to start off any episode before. Normally, we could have a spirited discussion about the main event, but I think, I think, as you'll probably explain why, we don't really get to do that this time around, do we? Yes, because we can go ahead and get rid of two of the names from our... list right off the bat. And like you mentioned, this is sort of unprecedented, especially on this show, because the man who ended the night with the first round submission over Alex Perez, Davis of Figuerreiro, his next title defense is ready to go. He and Brandon Moreno, who also got a

first round finish in the highly anticipated Brandon on Brandon fight, they have agreed to a title fight on December 12, less than three weeks away. And they will compete as of now in the co-made event of UFC 256, there are reports out there that perhaps Al Jermaine Sterling versus Peter Jan might be rescheduled. So I don't know. We don't know anything about that, at least as we're recording right now, but who knows? It seemed a little strange, AK, and it's pretty wild that this fight was put together on three weeks notice. They didn't even think about maybe there's something wrong with Jan and Sterling, but it was kind of a strange move to turn both these guys around on three weeks notice. You know what I mean?

Yeah, it's funny you mentioned Jan and Sterling Because let's never forget that That it took how long for Dana White To commit to an Al Jermaine Sterling He Yon matchup Like he you know the night that Sterling had that huge win He couldn't even say yeah He's next we'll have it in the work soon

He gave the standard you know he gave the standard UFC answer was guys you know we have our matchmaking meeting on Tuesday That's when we usually decide these things So of course you know you guys can ask about matchups So I'm not going to confirm anything tonight But on Saturday this Saturday He did not give that answer answer. He's just, this is the first time he's ever just said, yes, that's next. It's in the works. And as you said, I think now we know why they, they, they maybe need a new title fight for that December 12th show. So yeah, we don't really need to speculate. I think you and I both would have said Brandon Moreno is next anyway. So hopefully nothing falls through. It's not a few. It's definitely not official. It's verb, I think verbally agreed is about as far as it's gone. I mean, logically, I don't think they sign contracts overnight. But a lot, you know, they still have to cross the T's and dot the eyes and Dana White. Even

said he's a little bit worried about figurato having to make weight, you know, 125 on the dot two times in such a short period of time. It is very tough on the body and he's had trouble before. But again, fingers crossed, it should happen. And this is the fight we all want, whether it's December 12th or somewhere else down the road. Yes, I agree. I'm very excited for that fight. It's going to be really good. Brandon Moreno. You kind of feel for the man in a way because he's worked so hard to get to this title fight. He thought he got the big fat hose job from the matchmakers. Bob Brandon Royval did what he had to do, and he's finally going to get his opportunity

to become the first Mexican, like actual Mexican-born and Mexican, you know, bread, raised, living, native to become UFC world champion. This means a lot to him. You got the name switched around there. You said,

you got Moreno and Royvout. You got your brandons. You know what I mean. Let's give you a little inside baseball here. We are recording on the day after U.S. U.C. 55. And for anyone who's keeping up with our site, we were doing the post-fight show up until a past four in the morning, Eastern time. So we're going to be a little scramble on this show.

But you guys understand, Brandon, a deserving Brandon is getting a tell of shots. Correct. And yeah, and there's so many times who are, like, writing up articles and putting in YouTube headlines, Roy Val was Moreno. Moreno became Roy Val. And I had to switch them around. So it is what it is. Really excited for the fight.

I'm actually hoping to have Mr. Moreno back on what the heck this week to talk about all of it, some sort of personal rivalry between these two guys I know nothing about. So fingers crossed. But we begin things in a weird way with the man who came up short in his quest to become the first contender series alum to capture UFC gold. Alex Perez submitted in just under two minutes via nasty guillotine choke, tough night at the office for Perez who, I know it was a very small sample size, a minute and 57 seconds, but

you know, in the first minute and a half, he looked pretty darn good in the fight, you know, but you know, figure out just that good, but obviously he will learn and grow from that one undoubtedly, but what would you like to see next for Mr. Alex Perez, A.K., after his first title opportunity. Mike,

Norman, you know, I don't mind going first, but I do have a lot of options that I don't want to potentially step on your feet, unless you also have a lot of options that you've thrown out there. I don't know how clear you are in this one. I do have a clear choice, but there was some other options I want to run over. So maybe maybe go first. Okay.

I don't. Yeah, I don't overlap here. Yeah, I mean, there's been a resurgence in this division, clearly. Like you said, there's, I mean, there's a lot, a lot of options across the top 10 for a guy like Alex Perez. I mean, you could do Perez versus Brandon Royval. I mean, they've trained together. They like each other. Sure, it wouldn't be their first options.

It is an option. It is not my option. My pick is the rematch with Joseph Benavitas. Perez really wants that fight. They're the last two guys. to fight Davis of Figuerado. There's a story there. Perez wants redemption from their first fight

a little over two years ago. And Benavitas has done some media and says, listen, you know, people say I might have a foot out the door. I still think I could be champion. So he wants to prove he's still one of the elite guys, one of the very best at 125. I think with the storylines involved and trying to get this division moving,

you know, continuing to move forward, I think this is the fight to make. Let's run it back between those two guys. What do you think? Yeah, I looked at that one. Maybe I'm just looking at those consecutive losses to Figuero too hard. But yeah, really, who is, but there is no. Benevitas to me is still essentially the number one, I guess number one, number two ranked flyweight.

So there is no fighting up for him except for Figueroa, right? So that fight's not going to happen again anytime soon, unfortunately. So I like that one. As you mentioned, the obvious answer would be Brandon Roy Val, assuming that Roy Val's shoulder injury is nothing serious. We're hoping it's not a tear. I'm sure we'll have an update on that within the next few days. I had one of my boring answers was kind of like almost like a tune-up fight for Perez to just get back in the wind column. Hogiero Bon Torrin, Bon Torin, he had an ankle injury.

He's also a fight in August. Hopefully he'll be ready to fight early next year. And Bonarine is also a talent, but I should say it's not like he's someone Perez would just walk over. Maybe Bonarine takes a spot. But that's if, but for me obviously, I think Perez would be pretty heavily favorite there. And then I was kind of dancing around it. I was wondering maybe, maybe you give Ascar Ascar have a chance to take Perez's spot. But the fight that I want, which I know it won't happen, but the fight that I want is,

this man was talking a lot of crap last night on social media about Perez, all right? Cody Garbrand, put your damn money where your mouth is. You think that this guy didn't deserve your spot? Then I say, come take his spot. There's no chance that if they offer that fight that, well, I don't know if he would say no. But I think that UFC wouldn't even bother offering it. They want him and Figurato as soon as possible. But for me, he has to earn it.

and I think Perez has earned himself another big fight. I know if you got submitted quickly. It was, if you can call those two minutes competitive, I thought it was competitive. And I think he did very well against Cody Gar-R-R-Brent as well. Very likely even beat him, if we're being honest. So, Cody, you're going to talk. Let's walk-to-walk. I know zero chance, but this is what I would want to happen, not what I think will happen.

I agree. Yeah. I mean, in a perfect world, Cody Gar-Bran gets one fight at 25 anyways, before he fights for the belt, just to make sure he can make the weight and, you know, be healthy in doing so and fighting after cutting down to 125. I think Garband would have a much easier time than T.J. Dilloshaw, for being honest, just because of his frame, he is a little bit smaller of a 35er, but I'd like to see that. I'd like to see him put his money where his mouth is for fighting for the belts.

But let us move ahead to Valentina Shavchenko, one of the most dominant fighters on the planet defends her title for the fourth time, unanimous decision victory over Jennifer Maya. this one is pretty easy, AK. I'll just jump in and start this party. Dana White talked about it. Lauren Murphy said when I last spoke with her that this was the likely scenario anyways, even though she's in the conversation.

Shevchenko versus Jessica Androge is the pick. I'd like to see Murphy versus Androge. Winter gets the shot, but nobody in the UFC corporate offices cares what I have to say in that situation. So if we're going with who we think it's actually going to be in the match rigger meeting, seems like Schenko doesn't want to sit on the sidelines for too long.

For check the tape's purposes, AK, it's Andrage. That's the pick. Is that yours as well? Yeah, absolutely. In a perfect world, I think I've said before, I'd like to both get a shot at Eschonko. But again, I mean, someone's going to have to wait a while. I don't know if either fighter wants to wait. They're probably, whoever doesn't get it will probably end up taking a fight in between,

which I think we'll discuss a little bit later in the show. Again, the women's flyweight division was pretty active on Unstarry night. So, yeah, Andrash, when she knocked at Chaghani in, I was all super pumped. I was caught up in the moment. I was all like, yes, give her the title shot tomorrow. I'm all for it. And my excitement has not lowered that much. I still think she's one of the biggest threats to Shepchenko.

Certainly in the eyes of the fans, she's one of the fighters, one of the few fighters in the roster who I think people really believe could be a threat. She'd still be an underdog, pretty considerable underdog if they matched up. But her finishing power is just so intriguing. She is a former UFC champion already in another weight class. It's almost a super fight of sorts. So, yeah, Andrade is his choice. Jessica Andrage for sure. Jennifer Maya, very gritty in defeat.

She did much better than pretty much everybody thought she would. And again, to me, this is very easy, AK. What do you think for Jennifer Maya following her first opportunity at a title? Did you say you have an obvious choice? It's obvious to me. Well, I mean, it's pretty easy. It's maybe not obvious. It's easy to me.

This is an easy pick for me. I always feel, when you say that, I feel pressure. I always feel like if I don't say it, I'm a fool. but I went with it. Maybe I don't know if it's easy. It's certainly boring. I thought you just matched her up with Calvillo, I guess. Yeah, they were both in the same card.

Yeah, okay. It would be great to see Calvio, for one thing, get back to her grappling. I know her striking has improved a lot, and she certainly had her moments in all her fights where she's chosen to stand up a lot. But, you know, and I'm not saying it was easy to take you kicking in down, but I think a lot of people would have liked to see her maybe force the action a little bit more. Again, easier said than done when you're fighting an opponent that's so much bigger and longer than you. but I think Maya would welcome a fight like that.

I mean, we saw she's certainly willing to grapple with Shevchenko. She maybe didn't get the better of all those exchanges, but she's a good Muay Thai fighter who also, yeah, definitely can show off her jits on the ground. So yeah, Calvio, Maya, let's keep these two moving. Let's keep them in the contender circle, and let's just have them sort it up. Yeah, I mean, I wish there was more drama here, but there just isn't with this one. I mean, there's obviously a few other selections that we could do, but I just feel like this is just too easy.

And sometimes you just go with the easy one, you know, you take the gimmie instead of, you know, putting the three-footer, you know? Any interest in Maya versus the Andrea Lee Gillian Robertson winner, December 12th? No. Okay. Well, I'm glad I brought that up. I'll explain why a little bit later on. TBC.

Yes. So let us move to the welterweight division. Tim Means the Wiley Vets answers the door of opportunity. He replaces Robbie Lawler against one Mike Perry. They had a hell of a fight these two guys. Perry obviously had the big weight miss, had a great first round. But in the end, Tim Means, gets it done, picks up the unanimous decision, look great over those final 10 minutes.

What would you like to see next for Mr. Means, AK, after that victory? I've got two really good choices here. You know, credit to him. He's a bit hard to match him for him because he took the fight on short notice and then beaten opponent or weights. I'm not even sure where this puts him in the rankings. He's barely moved in mine. It was a bit of an odd one.

First, I'm going to go the fight the guy he replaced route and just say, I'm going to lobby for Robbie. Lobby for Robbie, Mike. Let's start that campaign. I got Brandon on Brandon. I got Neil on Neil. Let's lobby for Robbie for Tim Means. I would just love to see him that, obviously, that fight style-wise.

And it'd be cool to see Means get a shot at Lauder's spot. Because Lawler, I think, I had to hanged to this booking, I think was still 14th or 15th. I don't think they'd take him out of you. I know he's a bit of a slump. but I believe he was still holding under his ranking, and I'd like to see Means get a shot at that. He's just been such a good competitor for so long, and a guy who, again, you feel like he could give anyone in the top 15

to run for their money. So Robbie Lawler, hopefully whatever health issues are there are not a big deal, and we can see him matched up soon. So that was my first pick, and then the other one was a guy who, people are always matching up with any time of Welter Ray has a big win, and I have been pretty good showing restraint with just throwing his name out there. But Vicentee Luke. I think Luka means awesome fight.

I'm more in favor of the Lawler matchup, but I think he's being a little more picky with his matchup these days. Luke, I think you send him that contract. He's all in. I mean, I was all in on it before you throughout this new mantra that should be on a T-shirt

that everybody should buy. Lobby for Robbie. I'm lobbying for Robbie in a big way. I mean, he's earned the right to face Robbie Loller after replacing Robbie Loller. That's a lot of fun. And listen, like, I know when we watch Robbie Loller, we're like,

I don't know. you know it's a young man's game at certain points like he's missed is that overmatch i would favor timemines you know probably like a two to one favorite at least in that fight but it's it's not a fight that i'm like i look at if they book it for robbie laller and i'm like uh i don't know if i want to see this i like the fact that it's two veterans getting after it and i think means deserves that name and uh i think that's the direction they go so maybe in february that's what robbie wants to come back so again i didn't have to think too much about this one aka it just seems like the right piece of business.

Yeah. Again, fans would want it. It's almost one of those fights fans would be surprised that it wasn't, maybe that it wasn't booked in the past. But yeah, it's really, don't overthink it. You want two Walter veterans, two great strikers, put them in there. That's it. Yes, I think everybody should go on Twitter and hashtag lobby for Robbie.

Oh, I got to get that going. Okay, I'll get that going this week. Yeah, I'm pumped. You got me fired up with that one, AK. So let's talk about Caitlin Chukagia. And we mentioned that this is a big night for the flyweight. She comes back quickly after getting finished by Jess Gondraj, around a month or so earlier,

sweeps the scorecards against Cynthia Calvio, thwarted her title hopes for the time being in now. I'm excited, A.K., this could be her thing, okay? Randy Orton, back in the day in the WWE, he was the legend killer. He was taking out Piper and Ricky Steamboat and all these different legends, all the way up to the Undertaker.

He was the legend killer. And they built him as such. And Chikagan, let's be honest, very talented fighter. She's not getting a title shot anytime soon as long as Valentina Schenko is the champion. So now you position Blonde fighter as the contender killer, the dream dasher, so to speak. She is coming in here to dash the hopes and dreams of all up-and-coming contenders. To me, Chikagian versus Lauren Murphy is the fight to make. It has to be.

Like, everybody else is seemingly booked up. We've talked about most of the matchups already on this program. and Murphy seems to need another win, it looks like, to get that title fight. And this seems like a good option for both ladies. They have fought before. Chukagin got the win at 135 in her UFC debut on short notice. But that fight was over four years ago. People still bring that fight up, but that was a long time ago.

Both of these ladies are totally different fighters, especially Lauren Murphy. She's a totally different fighter than she was in 2016. I would like to see that one again, A.K. I just think there's, again, I want to see how that would play out four years later. and B, there's just doesn't seem to be a lot of other options. That fight was also at 135 pounds. So yeah, we're talking about different weight class four years ago. It's, it's, it's, it's, it's, that's, those are more than, uh, grounds for a rematch.

I think, I think most people would say it. But I hate it. I hate it. I hate it because I just think Lauren Murphy should be getting a title shot. Sure. Um, but you're right. It's, it's, uh, Che Guegan is in, she puts the matchmakers in a really tough position because she really is a top fighter at 125 pounds.

She's proven that. And people have to, other fathers should have to go through her to get that shot against, excuse me, pardon me, against Valentina Shepchenko. So, terrible. This is a, I hope people are really enjoying that. So, yeah, I hate it. And yet it's, I'm like 98% sure that is the matchup that's going to happen. My pick, personally, I want to see her face.

She'd have to wait a bit. I kind of like, this is more just for the sake of a fresh matchup, Chukagian versus the rock. San Modafari, Viviana Arrujo winner. But that's not until January 30th. So we're talking about it. That would be a two-month wait to see how that fight shakes out. Then at least probably another two months.

So I'm shelving she gained for four months. She really didn't look like she was hurt that badly in the third-cabial. She probably wants to fight again in December if the offer came up or even in January. She's probably, I'd say if the Lauren Murphy matchups doesn't happen, she steps in as a replacement for one of these flyweight matchups that have been booked from, because a few have been booked from here to like February. So she steps in for one of those. But other than that, almost certain, it's the Murphy, it's the Murphy rematch.

Yeah. Like, yeah, she either, I mean, she even said to Joe Rogan after that super awkward interview after the win that, you know, she wants to fight again real quick. So, and Murphy wanted to get back into December. She wanted to fight Calvio in December. So I don't know if it's a December fight. Maybe it is. You know, maybe it is. Maybe they throw that on December 12th and go from there.

But it's just, 125, especially in the women's division. Both of both divisions, if we're being. honest, super fascinating. Probably as fascinating as they have ever been. But let us head to the light heavyweight division. Paul Craig kicked off the main card. Second round finish over Maricio Shogun Hua. The rivalry, AK, is officially over. Craig gets the win, gets the stoppage. And this is probably the more interesting one to pick of the entire card, if we're being honest. Like, where do we go next with Paul Craig? Everything else seems so blatantly obvious. This one, not so much. Which one of plethora of options works best for you.

Paul Craig, Paul Craig, Paul Craig's got the thickest Scottish accent I've ever heard. That's how long I could maintain it for. That's, it's, like, because I think he's got a bassy voice, too. He's got a bassy voice plus a thick Scottish accent. It's something else. Thankfully, I'm a master of deciphering accent, so I can, I can understand him, but I've heard a lot of jokes about him being translated. This wasn't hard for me at all, because we had laid the groundwork on our show.

I had said after Johnny Walker's last win, I wanted him to face the winner of this fight, either as a passing of the torch fight with Shogun or a avenging the Brazilian legend fight was Paul Craig. So certainly the way that Paul Craig beat him, I'm sure a lot of fans in Brazil were not happy. He forced the legendary Shogun to tap out to strikes, which again, there's no shame in it, but I understand why people will kind of a distressing sight. So Paul Craig Johnny Walker, for me, that's the easy pick. I love to see that. no drama here that is the pick

paul craig kind of made it easier did his post-fight scrum calls out glover tshara shot for the stars not pulling down anything misha circadoff you know a little lower on the in the sky but still not getting that fight

because bichsircanov's already fighting ryan span and then he called out johnny walker and listen that fight just is so much fun like paul would be a really interesting test for walker and vice versa, and the personalities involved in that fight just puts a smile on my face, AK. Those two guys should get their own media day in lieu of the fight.

Give him a different day, give him a two-hour stretch, and give him their own thing and let them have at it. But Craig Zerned a little bit of a step up. We kind of talked about Jan Bolovich and the surge he's had. I'm not comparing Paul Craig to Janbovich, but Paul Craig had kind of a rough start to his UFC run. You know, lost a bunch of fights, but now he's, he seemed to have found himself. He's coming into his own at the right time. And I want to see that chaos. That would be Paul Craig versus Johnny Walker.

So sign me up for that one, AK. Lobby for Johnny. Yeah. Lobby for Johnny as well. And I remember Craig had said something to, uh, on, some of the effect of in an interview, like he was going to retire. I think if he had lost, there was one of those fights, you know, when he had that run of kind of third round comebacks.

I want to say it was the, let me look this up real quick. I want to say it was the, Ankyov, but yes, because he had lost two, yes, he had lost, he got one and two in the UFC so far, had lost two straight, and was facing Ankelyev, and then he got this submission with one second left, and he said he was actually going to consider retiring and not planning again. That was two years, well over two and a half years ago now. So he really did kind of turn things around. There is an element of it. And the other cool thing is that he's really proven, he's not just that kind, you know, that kind of joke, like a fluky, oh, he's a last second magic guy, even though he does have third round finishes. He really looks like a solid all-around fighter now.

He's gotten a lot more comfortable with the striking. His grappling still is bread and butter, which still awesome. But, yeah, a fight with a guy like Walker or maybe another contender in the future, honestly, he can sneak in there. He can sneak into that top 10, maybe that top five. We'll see. We're really high on Paul Craig right now. Yeah, I mean, let's see what he's got.

Let's see what he's got. Unbeaten his last four fights, three of those finishes. We'll see what happens. But this would be Brandon Moreno's time. But since Brandon Moreno is already booked, we've already discussed this. let us get to the viral Kio King himself, Joaquin Buckley,

another devastating knocko win this time over the Beverly Hills Ninja, Jordan Wright. Wasn't as crazy as the I'ma Kaganai knockout, but equally as effective. And I feel like this is just the theme,

and I feel like when I type out the titles and the headlines for the podcast network, it's just going to be like, on to the next one. This was too easy because this is just too easy. The rivalry that began

and had the, gasoline thrown on it by the fine folks here at M.A. fighting. It is James Krause. And there is no other option. If they book any other fight, it's just bad and everyone should be up in arms. Let's knock this bad boy out early in 2021. Let's let these guys get after it. There's other fun fights, certainly. Joaquin Buckley's got that style. But this is the fight, right? There's no other option here. There are other options. I will leave them to the readers. This is the number one option far and away. And if the UFC is not already working on this, they should have been working than this before this Buckley fight, frankly,

with the assumption that he was going to win because otherwise it's promotional malpractice, as I'd say. And Mike, your pot stirring and S-disturbing has finally paid off. The UFC should owe you whatever, you know, they should owe you some of the revenue from this matchup because you definitely helped to make this happen. You've spoken to both men.

You've gotten all the facts of this feud. There's no doubt they do not like each other. And it has to be settled in the cage. Not just for the sake of our entertainment, For the sake of two martial artists who I still feel like can find peace. I still feel like someday, someday can be friends, but they will have to, they have to settle it in the cage first. There's no, there's no talking this one out. There's no letting this one Peter out.

This is a festering boil of a feud that needs to be, that needs to be lanced, lanced in the octagon. And I can't wait. But I would hope that they have a great fight and it's all hugs and handshakes after. But that's definitely not going to happen until they scrap. So, yeah, at 170, by the way. Buckley says he'd make 170, this really, really should happen at 170. I don't want to see it happen in middleweight. Yeah, and Krauss said he'd be happy to go up to 85 and fight him too.

And maybe in this crazy world and, you know, he's got a million things going on. Maybe he does go up to 85 just for a one-time fight. I don't, they would do this at 205 if they wanted to. Just get him in there. I don't care what the way class is. Get him in there. Just do it to 185. That's fine.

It doesn't matter. Just get him in there and let him settle it. And then, like you said, because your goal on this whole thing, AK, was have them be friends. Like have them be friendly. Friendship. Yeah, maybe train together at some point. It doesn't look like it's going to happen anytime soon if you listen to either of those interviews.

But that's the fight to make is we go from kind of too easy. Now we get to think a little bit more, A.K., this is why I love this so much. And this is why the listeners do as well. It's the time for the wild card round. We matchmake for a fighter that we haven't mentioned yet or match made for yet. And we do so right now. So UFC 255 in the books, AK, what is your wildcard pick? coming out of the November pay-per-view extravaganza.

Yeah, I did have a little bit of trouble figuring out how to match up. Some of the fighters either were two veteran or the opposite. They're newcomers. And newcomers, I usually don't even bother speculating. It's just too difficult to predict. And usually I just want to see them face other newcomers. So there's not a lot of intrigue there. So I went with somewhat of a veteran, but someone who's kind of a fresh face to the UFC again

because he kind of came back to the UFC. I really like Nicolas Dolby's fight with Daniel Rodriguez. Great performance by him to stop one. of the hottest fighters of 2020. You know, Rodriguez was 3 and 0, looking to go 4 and 0. And I'll beat him in a really good back and forth striking battles. So I just want to see him keep having fun fights. You know, I'm not throwing him up crazy up the rankings or anything like that.

I think ideally it's either the Li Jing Liang, Dwight Grant winner. They're fighting in a couple weeks, December 12th, or Brian Barbarina. A match with Brian Barbarina would be frigging perfect. I don't think they fought. Now that I mentioned it, for some reason, I feel like I should check this. But I believe that would be a fresh matchup. But Bam Bam is always fun. You know, that's not news to anyone.

Yes, I know. He just has surgery to address to some internal bleeding dealy. You know, I'm not downplaying that. The stitches are still fresh, apparently. I was looking at social media. The stitches just barely came out. Sorry, the staples just barely came out. The stitches are fresh.

But whatever. He's tough. Whenever he's ready, I'm sure he'll be fine in two months, three months. So get back in there, Bam Bam. Hopefully you'll be healthy by then. We miss it. We miss Brian Barbarina competing. And I'd love to see him throw down with Dolby.

Yeah, that'd be a fun. fight. I'm going with Antoninio Chonko, A.K. Oh, your favorite. Your favorite fighter. Yes. I feel like she has earned it because she impressed the hell out of me. And for those who have been listening to this program

since the beginning, I have not been overly kind to Antoniniochumchenko. And this is through no fault of her own. I never questioned her fighting abilities. I just, I questioned the UFC when it came to her. She just got pushed way too quickly. She got

names that she shouldn't have gotten so early on in her UFC career. But I guess the UFC knows better than I do because she seems to have paid her dues and she looked phenomenal against Ariani Lipski. But I'm not ready to throw her to the wolves just yet. I just don't want to see that. But there is a fight that was just added to UFC 256. You mentioned it a little earlier. And I think it's more than suitable to give Antonia Shepchenko the winner of that fight.

So I want to see Jeffchenko versus the winner of Andrew Lee versus Jillian Robertson on December 12. I like both of those options for her. It's a step up, but it's the right kind of step up. Like we're not putting her on a trampoline to the top of the ladder. She's taking like a step or two up there. So it's a little bit of a slower burn. I think that's the fight to make. I know Julian Robertson really wants that fight.

Andrew Lee will fight anybody. So it makes all the sense in the world. Yeah, I like that match up a lot. Yeah, no cons with that. Women's flight, like it's been a really busy division. they've been doing a great job of keeping it moving. And I think Shevchenko is right in there with that mix of fighters who, I know people see she only has, you know, whatever 10, 11 pro fights, but obviously she has a lot of combat sports experience. And I think she's a little bit older than people know.

You know, she's the older sister of Valentina Shepchenko. I don't know if people keep that in mind. So she's a lot of combat sports mileage on her. So she's in that mix of fighters right in the middle of the 125 pound division who are, you know, a lot of compelling matchups. and someone in that pack you feel like if they can get in a run can break away and maybe sneak into a telos shot sometime late 2021, 2021,

so obviously with Antenina there's some other complications there as far as fighting 125 pound medal but yes Andrea Lee or Julian Robertson if they get a win over Anthony Shepchenko it would be a nice way for

Andrew Lee to get back on trap for one and also for one of them to you know keep moving back up in the rankings yes Do we have a check the tape here, okay? I mean, I know we introduced this segment. I might have like a little, you know, maybe we come up with some sort of like theme song or something. So check the tape.

We do. Yes. I apologize. I did not prepare a check the tapes this week. Just assume that any matchups you guys heard about this week, we talked about in a prior show. I'm sure. I'm sure. I know.

There was actually a lot of, we had a lot of matchups to cover this week. So that's my excuse. I actually just kind of slipped my mind. It's a new segment. People were workshopping it, okay? and sometimes you workshop things. But yes, I will have check the tapes this week. But we had a lot of good, we had a lot of good reader stuff.

Yes, let's hear them. To make up for my incompetence. We had a lot of good reader stuff. The readers are getting so good. They're really, really just bringing it. Either with matchups that we haven't thought of or just kind of like funny, kind of funny things. So your wildcar pick, Anthony Schochenko.

I don't like the suggestion. This was kind of a weird one. But I guess if Murphy ends up getting the title shot for some reason. Let's say Jessica Andraj, you know, I don't know, maybe the money, there's a money issue or, I don't know, for some reason Jessica Andrej doesn't get it. Kevin Hahn on Twitter said he wants to see Jessica Androch fight Antinia Shepchenko. Oh, my gosh. Okay.

All right. You know, we're not off to a great start. But, you know, I'm glad someone threw it out there. So thank you. A couple of other ones I solicited on our MA fighting social media. Twitter account. We're Buckley and Moreno. So those are pointless now because, again, Buckley, we all want to see Cross.

Moreno, essentially booked, fingers crossed unless something falls through. I think we had a reader response. I don't know if this was directly to you. Yes, directly to us. At Casual Eve, Eve the Hardcore Casual on Twitter, if he's willing to fight again, so assuming this man isn't retired, Luke Rockhold versus Paul Craig. I think Paul Craig would like that because it's a name. Sure, you would.

It's just, yeah, it's a bit weird for Rockhold, because again, I think you're giving me a guy, you're giving him like a top 20 guy. But yeah, Rockholds want that too, right? I think he thinks himself as probably as like a top 10 light heavyweight, right, even though he technically hasn't won a fight in that in that division. You'd be down for that? Sure. I mean, yeah, I don't know. I saw that last day and I was like, huh. And I thought about it.

If they did it, I'm sure both guys would be, would be fine with it. I just wouldn't be my first. Like, Luke Rockhold coming back, like, when he was telling ESPN that, you know, I'm going to give this thing another go. Like, there was only one fight that made sense, and it was the Chris Widman rematch. Like, I just don't see any other fight for Rockhold. You know what I mean? Like, it's rematch central. I still want to see it.

At Mighty Magic Mart, a regular contributor. I kind of like the suggesting he had for us, which was take Perez to get the winner of the upcoming Cape Ascar Ascarov fight. and then Alex Perez gets a loser of that fight. I have no problem with those matchups just because all those matches would be frigging sick. So I don't know if I've really thought about it from a, you know, where does it affect their rankings or contendorship standpoint? But, I mean, as far as good fights, yeah, you can't go wrong with either of those.

I like the suggestion, although I think the winner of that fight is going to fight Asker Askeroff. The winner of which fight? Cape Pantosia will fight Asker, Asker, Askeroff. Cape Pantosia. Winner will fight Asker, Asker, Asker Off. Oh, okay. That's what I think is going to happen. That'll be like the next number one contender fight.

Okay. Why does this suggestion? Okay. I read the suggestion. The suggestion thinks that Cape and Ascarov are fighting. I don't know. But, yeah, I think, yeah. I might have gotten mixed up there.

Yeah, I read it as give Perez either the winner of that fight or give him Ascaroff. Okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah. We got to have Ascarov in the mix. That's for sure. That guy is really good. There's another future. Man, Figurato has some great, great matchups ahead of M.

I don't want to see. him go up to Bantam wait anytime soon. You don't need it. You know what's crazy? That's a lot of good title fights. You know what's crazy? The original plan was to have Ascaroff versus Cape on the card last night. That was the plan.

It just didn't happen. Yeah. Oh, that fight was so sick. But now we have Cape versus Pantosia on December 19th on that absolutely ridiculous card. So it's going to be kind of buried on the prelims, but it's not one that we can complain about because that whole card is absolutely insane. Flyweight's rule. We saw it last night.

We see it with all the matchups coming out. Men's and women's fly weights. There's a lot going on. There's a really good division. We had the usual suspects of the Twitter crew sent in suggestions. I'll read some of the best ones from Aronski. He likes, and I just want those guys name out there because we didn't mention him. Kyle Dachas, who had a win on his first UFC win on the prelims.

Tom Breeze. I think a little too soon maybe for Docis, but Breeze is in that situation where I do feel like the UFC might use him as kind of a mid-range stepping stone. I'm not sure how high they are in Breeze. So that's not, I don't think that's a terrible matter. We've matched up Breeze before, I think, with other more experienced UFC guys, though. Yeah, I feel like we've matched Breeze up, like, every week, every time there's a middle-way fight. It comes up. It comes up.

Harry Lipski, he says, if not Krause for Buckley. So again, there's some people just thinking outside of the, but everyone wants Krauss. But if for some reason it doesn't end up going that way, he likes Buckley versus the Karl Robeson Dalcha Lunggiamula winner. They fight in a couple weeks, December 12th. I actually kind of like that because I still think Kraus is almost a lot of to experience for him. Again, number one option by far,

but if they had Buckley, if they continued to bring along Buckley slowly, I would have no problem with that. Let me just put it that way. It's a fun fight. Like someone's going nine-night. There's no doubt about it. Someone's going nine-night in either of those options.

Krause does have the experience, but I think it says a lot about Kraus because Kraus is in a position right now where he could be like, you know what? I ain't fighting anybody outside of the top 15 right now. Sure. What does he want? Like seven fights or three?

row 170, something like that. He lost the Giles fight that a fight that a lot of people, including, I believe, Dana White, thought James Krause won. So the guy is quietly running off these wins and the fact that he wants to step back and

fight a guy like Buckley and is wide open to it. And that's the thing about Crows that I like so much is that he's not like, I have a dream of becoming a world champion. He's just like, I'm going to coach. I'm going to coach. And like, if a fight opens up on a certain date,

I'll take it. No big deal. I'm not here to fight three to four times a year. Here to just take opportunities when they're given. So, but yeah, Buckley versus either of those guys, that's just fun. That's just a fun fight. It's automatic 50 G's.

You just reminded me of Kraus Childs and like, how have I not done a robbery review on that yet? That's a future robbery review. Because if we're not for one, I think, bizarre judge's scorecard, I believe Krause would have won that decision. There was one inexcusable scorecard in there. Redwood Rebel had a suggestion which I hadn't even thought of which I kind of love and I don't know if one of these fires would take it but I don't see why the UFC doesn't

think about putting this one together Alan Joban versus Anthony Pettis that is interesting that is interesting I kind of like it I know Pettis is in that you know kind of guy is like oh I only want big names and you know Jabban is a veteran but maybe he doesn't have this big a name of some of the guy as Pettis is fought so that's why it's probably unlikely but I would love to see them trying to put that one together. One thing that I said to myself last night is I dislike Alan Joban. I dislike him.

And not because he's not a great human being and a handsome man. He's too handsome. The fact is a lot of people talked about it on Twitter that they are shocked that Alan Joban and Mauricio Chauvin were born on like the same day or something like that. The thing that irks me about Alan Joban is that he was getting hit very hard and it was getting marked up pretty badly by Jared Gooden in that fight. But with every mark in his face, he looked younger to me. Like, he got younger.

Like, he went from like, he went from like 38, soon to be 39 to like 22, just because he got punched in the eye. Like, that is great. He was Benjamin buttoning it in there. Yes, he looked, by the time the fight was over, he looked like, yeah, he looked like you would have to card him at the local pub. It's crazy. It's frustrating.

He's just so, he's just such a handsome man, you know? Yeah. He tweeted out a picture of his face from the hospital after. And obviously, other than the swelling around one of his eyes, he really did kind of look like, like you said, he actually did look like the bruising, like the restructuring of his face. Maybe this is the new Hollywood. You know, he's a model. You know, he's down with all the Hollywood secrets, right?

Hollywood and New York secrets. So maybe that's the thing. You just kind of get knocked. You have other fighters kind of restructure your face for you. And then, you know, your bone structure. You want to keep that bone structure, of course. But just a little touch up, a little touch up in the bones. Yes.

You know, a little solid punch of the face. And then when he heals up, it's, you know, it's, you know, and somehow more handsome than ever. So I agree. It's frustrating. I like that fight, though. I like that one. Yeah.

Red River Reble also suggested Brandon Rogal v. Jucia for Miga. Too soon. Oh. He said it jokingly. He said it jokingly. And I would come on. He must not know. No, no, no.

He knew. He was joking. He was like, oh, okay, okay. He said, I forgot the UFC hates white weights. And I'm like, yeah. I'm just thinking, yeah, I would also love to see that fight. And unfortunately, it will not, it probably will never, ever happen. What about, let me, let me, let me,

ask you this one. What about Joe? What about Joe Ban versus Drod? Whoever makes, uh, whoever makes him less handsome and makes us feel less bad about ourselves, I'm all for it. And I think Daniel Rodriguez, absolutely, no, I'm kidding. I do it. I wish no harm upon Alan. No, no, no. Very fun fighter and a, and a great, great personality for the UFC. So, um, Marcus McGehy, he added to a trio of decent suggestions. I feel like we mentioned this before. I don't know why it hasn't been made. Antonina and Sabina Mazzo. I think it'll be a fun matchup. He also threw out a

Carl Dacus one. I actually liked this one too. Carl Dacus, Mark Andre Barrio. I just did that so I could show off my pronunciation of his name. And someone

whose name came up quite a bit despite being the first fight of the card, probably because they won a fight in the night award, Sasha Polatnikov. And Marcus McGahey suggested for him

Matt Simmelzberger, which is, you know, again, I'm not saying it's going to shake up a card or anything, but it's a good logical matchup for him.

So people match them for Platnikov, which I'm fine with. I want to say Semmel's Burger is booked, but it could be wrong. You might be right. Something that's pretty good, too. Kyle, like Kyle Dacchus, the fight is Eric Anders. That's the fight.

That's the fight. 100% the fight. The difference in UFC experience doesn't deter you at all? No, because I think he'd be heavily favored against Eric Anders. I think he probably wins that fight. and does so impressively. And I think Anders would put Docus in a position where he would get to kind of showcase his skills a little more.

Like Saturday night, Dustin Stoltz was kind of an awkward guy, shorter. I feel like Anders would bring a little more out of Doccus. Like, Docus fought Brendan Allen on like a week's notice, like off the couch, but a guy that came from the regional scene into the UFC and fought a guy that's just outside of the top 15, and they beat the brakes off. off each other. Like it was a great fight. And Anders was supposed to fight Antonio O'Hoyo. O'Hoyo is now rebooked to fight Duran win on December 19. So Anders, as of right now, is looking for a dance partner? I think that's the way to go. Let's give Doc a little bit of a bum.

See, my reluctance there is, I think he's obviously a really great talent, but I want to see him, like I said, he was thrown to the wolves of the Brendan Allen fight. And then I was not putting Anders up on that level, but I just feel like he's so much more experienced. But you're right. If that fight was booked, there's a good chance Doccus would be the favorite, like the slight favorite, like a 120, minus 120 or something like that, you know? So it's not crazy. I don't know.

I want to see him be brought along slowly, but you're certainly not wrong. Instagram DMs. I've got a couple from my buddies, Jacob Best, Jay Steiner. Jacob, throughout Paul Craig and Goliath, too, you know, because again, the first one ended with the last second Hail Mary. They're kind of close in the rankings at this point. I don't, I like the rationale behind it. I think they're head in different directions right now.

It could happen somewhere down the road, but I do understand the rationale behind it. And I thought the suggestion was worth mentioning. And he also liked Nicholas Dalby versus the unbeaten Shabkat Rachmanov. Ooh. Hmm. Oh, that's a good one. Yeah. I was kind of, it's one I looked at.

Again, in my rankings, they're very close together. I, I, you know me, I really struggle with booking undefeated guys or big prospects that go 1 and 0, you know, coming off their UFC win. I struggle with it. I admit it. I usually want to match them up against no one else with more than two or three U.S. Fights, but he's a blue chip talent, someone they really want to push quickly.

Dalby is a name, someone who's had won championships and Cage Warriors, and it would be a competitive fight. So I'm not against it. I like it. I like that idea. I do like that idea. It's crazy because we should be talking about

Rachmanab a lot more. Yes. But yeah, and this is a way to do that. So I think Dalby would Dobby will get in his face and scrap I mean I would heavily favor Rachmanoff in that fight but yeah I like that idea I do like that idea

Jason on our Instagram I liked he said I don't know why now is there reason I never ever thought of this Alex Perez Kai Kar France Um I mean Kai Kar France I just good fighter good fighter but I don't think

I think he's too far back honestly Wow okay Yeah no that's probably why again I'm just trying to wonder why we didn't think about it That's probably the same way where my head was. He wants to see Shogun continue fighting. I don't think we mentioned Shogun too much. Neither of us picked him as our wild card. I think a lot of us would be okay if he retired.

I personally would be okay if he continued fighting with the right matchmaking. And maybe Jay Stanner has the answer here. Ed Herman. Was this not booked before? Like it didn't happen. Was it not booked? They got canceled. I just feel like it's happened.

I feel like I've seen these two throwing sluggish punches at each other in the, you know, the fourth minute of round three. I don't hate it. Wow. I am, God, I am, I'm awkwardly giddy about that idea. Ed Herman should have called him out. Ed Herman is he'd be paying attention, because that's the kind of call out he should have made.

I'd love to be a Shogun's last fight, something and something like that. He always talked to his agent because it's kind of an appropriate fight. I don't know. There might be people who listen to this and just barfing right now. It's like the only fight. It's like the only fight that makes sense for either guy. Yeah. If Shogun continues fighting, which I do think he will.

He did not leave the gloves in the cage. He didn't really give a strong indication. He was retiring. He doesn't have been talking about retirement at all. I think other than interviews like a couple of years back with where he said like, this is how many fights I expect that have left. So I'm not sure where he is on that count right now. Is this, is that the same individual who suggested Cheyenne Bayes last week?

It is. Jay Steiner. Jay Steiner. He said he doesn't know if he could top himself. He actually prefaces his message to me with. I don't know if I can top last week, but he's doing really good. Jay's running off. Like either of us take a vacation day.

I might have to invite Jay on. Jace. Jace. Stiner. Oh, Jase. Excuse me. Jase. No, no worse.

And I email, of course, Mark, good buddy, Tristan Gordet, who one of them was Paul Craig, Jimmy Crute, which I feel like I thought about, but I want. It's weird. It's weird. Did they already? Crout submitted him in the third round. Camorah. You're right.

You're right. I guess he wants a rematch. It was about two years ago. I don't know if... If An Goliaths on a different trajectory, Jimmy Kruits's definitely on a different trajectory. Kroot's like the prospect to watch at 205 right now. And the other one, he suggested,

Palatnikov and Alex Marano. I should mention Jase also suggested Platnikov and Mickey Gall. I'll just say this, guys. As much as I'm glad that Plattnikov, Platnikov hasn't mentioned so much, you know, shout-outs to my brother from another mother. Shout-outs, shout-outs Hong Kong. He's probably more Hong Kong than I am, frankly. Relax, relax.

I would like to see, he just beat another debutante. Let's, I, I'm, it's cool this Justin's coming in, Semmelsberger, Murano, Mickey Gall, whatever. You know me, I'm very cautious. Give him another one, another contender series. Give him another contender series guy. Give him another debuting person. Maybe give him someone who's 0-1-1 in the UFC coming off a loss. Very impressed.

He beat a guy who was absurdly favored against him. I'm not sure why the odds were so high in Kosti's favor. But yeah, he looked good. But, man, let's pump the brakes on the matchmaking. I did not expect Palatnikov to be the breakout star of this card. But he probably was in the top three. Fight of the night and big upset. And apparently a lot of people got matchmaking ideas for him.

I already, this one's too easy. This one's too easy. Sasha Palatnikov versus Canada's own Tristan Connolly. That's the fight to make. Yeah, yes. Yes, I agree. See, if I had done a wild card pick for Platonacob, that's definitely more in the direction I would have gone.

So, readers, cool suggestions, compelling. Just pump their brakes a little bit. I'm just saying, Tristan Connolly, I agree. I think a little bit more his speed, a little bit more his experience level, until we kind of know what we have with Palatnikov. But a very, very nice debut. Yes, absolutely.

Good comeback. And then you do Louis Coasey versus Jared Gooden. Boom. Nice. Mike, you're good at this. You're welcome. You should do a show. You should do a show.

Has anyone ever, you should do a show on matchmaking. Yeah, this is fun. Very good. Anybody else? That is it. That's, again, our usual suspect. Thank you. Everyone, of course, it keeps sending in messages.

You know, before, I think I was reading people's complete list. So, guys, sorry if I missed any of the matchups you were really, really dying for. But I think I picked out some of the good ones you guys picked. And, yeah, excellent work readers. Another great week for the readers. Yes, absolutely. Keep them common, all right? Just because the show is released, doesn't mean we want you to stop with suggestions, all right?

Hit us up on the Twitter with those suggestions so the world can see it. He is at Alexander K. Lee. I am at Mike Heck underscore JR. Join us next week as we discussed the fallout of UFC Vegas 15. And I just, I literally just thought of this, AK, because we have four more events in 2020. And then we have like, and then we have what? One, two, three. We have like four weeks off after that.

What are we going to do? get some well-deserved rest. I was going to say, we're just not going to do a show, right? I did we have. What do we do the best of on to the next one? Well, you know what? Like you said, there's four more shows, Mike. We got plenty of time to think about it.

Yeah, well, we'll have something. We'll have something to take up this podcast. People are used to hearing our sweet, sweet chestnut voices on Monday morning. And we certainly would not deprive. Would not deprive people of that. But yeah, next week, I'm going to ask you. I might have to start doing some research early, trying to figure out how to match up some of these people.

It's not going to be an easy one. It's not going to be an easy one. Of course, this is UFC Vegas 15, I think. Curtis Blades versus Derek Lewis in the main event, in the small apex cage. So that's going to be wild. Anthony Smith versus Devin Clark is the co-made event. Some interesting matchups.

And when that happens, it leads to interesting matchmaking. This is going to be next week's show will be much more difficult to put together than this week's show for sure okay readers put your thinking caps on now please look ahead to next week's card feel free to send in your suggestions now I will gladly steal yes jace get after this thing jace done we expect we expect all of your all of your options and matching ideas next week but for now we are out of time for Alex Cayley I am Mike kept reminding you don't take it too seriously MMA is supposed to be fun and we'll have fun next week as always right here

on onto the next one, the podcast. You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network.