MMA Fighting - On To the Next One | Matches To Make After UFC Vegas 47

Episode Date: February 6, 2022

How much closer to a UFC middleweight title shot did Sean Strickland get following his main event decision win this past Saturday? That question is answered this week from a matchmaking perspective on the return of On To the Next One following Strickland's victory over Jack Hermansson at UFC Vegas 47. In addition, future matchups are discussed for Nick Maximov, Shavkat Rakhmonov, Brendan Allen, Bryan Battle, Julian Erosa and more with MMA Fighting's co-matchmakers Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee. 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

Black Friday is here at IKEA and the clock is taking on savings you won't want to miss. Join IKEA family for free today and unlock deals on everything from holiday must-haves to cozy at-home essentials, all the little and big things you need to make this season shine. But don't wait. Like leftovers at midnight, our Black Friday offers won't last. Shop now at IKEA.ca.ca.com slash Black Friday. IKEA, bring home to life. Welcome aboard Air Canada. Rocky's vacation, here we come.

Whoa, is this economy? Free beer, wine, and snacks. Sweet. Fast-free Wi-Fi means I can make dinner reservations before we land. And with live TV, I'm not missing the game. It's kind of like I'm already on vacation. Nice. Air Canada.

Nice travels. Wi-Fi available to Aero Pem members on equipped flights, sponsored by Bound. Conditions apply. See air Canada.com. You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network. Hello there, everybody, and welcome to a brand new edition of On to the next one. The matchmaking is back, friends.

We had a week off, but now the UFC is rolling along with the first of, I believe, four straight weeks of events. And it began this past Saturday with UFC Vegas 47. A fun card that over-delivered, in my opinion, compared to the on-paper expectation. And the final two fights, maybe didn't live up to what a typically UFC card would look like. But overall, pretty darn good card. So thanks for having us on, everybody. I am Mike Heck.

And joining me on this matchmaking adventure, as always, the co-host, the co-matchmaker, the Prince of Positivity. And gosh darn it, he's my best friend, too. Mr. Alex Kaylee, hello, sir. Happy Sunday, my best friend. I'm feeling very positive this morning. I'm glad you said, you know, whatever, the last two fights on Saturday. Party's card weren't great. But I mean, isn't this a classic case of some people throwing out the baby with the bathwater as they say, you know, like, oh, it was a terrible.

Because E. Casey Leiden, again, you know, a bit of a Debbie Downer under the best of circumstances was like, was like messaging me like the car was terrible. The car is terrible. And I'm like Casey, like we talked and we talked about on the post fight show. People can check out the post fight show people. Like nine out of the 13 fights had something that were worth watching, I think, either because of a notable finish or the fight was competitive. and fun to watch. That's a good card. Yes, it sucks when the main event doesn't deliver. I understand. And sometimes you can have the opposite effect. You can have a mediocre card with like two great fights at the end. And the people say it's a great card. And that's fine. I understand that. But I also think that you can have cards like this where, look, on paper, there wasn't a lot of star power to begin with. Even the main event, Strickland Hermanson is not like some blockbuster fight. It's a cool, it's a cool fight. So that underdelivered. But the rest of the card, I thought, was really fun. So I don't know. People, I just say. maybe temper your expectations or maybe we have different definitions of what's a good card. But I liked it.

I thought it was a fine effort. It just ended on a real down note. Yeah. Listen, let me just say this. Our community here, our Otno community, just the best listeners and fans on planet Earth. I would put our listeners and most of the MMA fighting listeners up against anybody. But the 2022 MMA fan is just grumpy. They're so grumpy this year, dude.

What is going on? They're the crustiest. What is happening? Like, MMA fans, there's always no gray area. You're either, like, tremendous or you suck. Yeah. I feel like, I feel like there's a lot of suck bags this year, just, just hating on everything. Now it's either events are amazing, which we had several at the end of 2021.

I get it. And then they're either amazing or apparently they suck or apparently they're terrible. There's no middle ground. It's either an event was really, really good, or was trash. I'm like, this is in the middle. That's okay. You can have middle of the road events, I think. this is probably the best event of

2022 so far for being honest like for the major promotions and it's not saying much but did anybody say on like when Sean Strickland versus Jack Hermanson was booked and we saw the posters or anything did we say to ourselves oh my god this is going to be like

Justin Gagy versus Michael Chandler at UFC 268 not one person said that this fight went the way almost everybody thought it was going to go we all expected this to happen and we're all complaining about it What is wrong with us, A.K., what is wrong with everybody? We're spoiled.

And I'm including myself in that, by the way, listeners. I'm not judging the listeners. I'm like that, too. Absolutely, I'm like that too. I get it. We get spoiled sometimes. We have so much M.M.A. now. It's so accessible that, you know, maybe our tastes are a little more refined and perhaps jaded.

Perhaps jaded at times. So, again, if you didn't love Saturday's card, I don't blame you. But if you enjoyed it, I certainly encourage you to do so. and I think you're completely in the right. I think it was a fine, serviceable UFC card that if you're already subscribed to ESPN Plus, you probably enjoyed watching it. If you, for some reason,

there's like the first UFC card you watched this year, and you're like, I'm finally getting this ESPN Plus thing. Yeah, I can understand you being a little bitter about it. But if you're just a subscriber and you watched it, or again, if you're up in Canada, you caught it on TSN, you probably had a good time. Yes, and think about this. For every Sean Strickland, Jack Hermanson,

or Nick Maximoff versus Punisoriano that you got, you got a Juliana Rosa versus Stephen Peter. You got a Jal Tone Al-Meda performance. You got Shafkat Rockmanoff just stiffening dudes inside the octagon. So for all the bad, there was a lot more good. But let's get into the matchmaking. Let's start with this main event, aka Sean Strickland gets a split decision went over Jack ramansen split in air quotes because that scorecard from Sal DiMato is horrendous.

One of the worst we will probably see this entire year, more than likely. I scored all five rounds for Strickland, the official MMA fighting. stance on this fight was 50 to 45 for Sean Strickland, 49, 46, totally acceptable, but another win over a good opponent. And like we talked about earlier, this is not the statement-making performance one would want moving up the latter as Sean Strickland is, but a win is a win at the end of the day. So where does this victory take him, A.K.? Oh, it made a statement. All right, Mike. The statement that was made was, I need another fight before I deserve to really crack that top five. And that fight is it's got to be Marvin Vittori. This isn't the first time we've brought it up in the show.

This isn't the first time our listeners have brought it up. The trash talk is they are friends. Strickland has mentioned their friends before, but again, Strickland also strikes me as the kind of person where if there's a ranking on the line, if the money is right, if it's a good opponent, one he respects too probably in Marvin, I think he'd do it. So there's a bunch of ways to go with it. A lot of good listeners suggestions out there. But I've wanted Votori. A lot of people want to see him to fight Vatari. I think they can work it out.

So that was a pretty easy pick for me. So there were two options for me. I'm actually going to take Vittori out of the equation for now. They do have a relationship, but that's not why I'm taking them out of the equation. Just throwing that out there. I think that's worth noting. I'm taking the Votori option out because in my eyes, after thinking about this a little bit before I went to sleep last night, this middleweight division is Adasanya,

Whitaker, right below him, and then a ways down at number three, I actually give that spot to Vittori, then Brunson, Canaaner, etc. So to me, Marvin Vittory is the third best middleweight in the world. It's Adasania, Whitaker, not far behind. A pretty considerable way down is Vittori, and then we got Brunson, Cannon Air, etc.

So my two options are we rebooked the fight with Luke Rockhold, because there is value there. That would be an interesting fight for sure. And somebody's probably getting finished in that fight. That's not going to be a decision fight. Either Strickland is just going to overwhelm Luke Rockhold and put them away. And that's the kind of win you would need to elevate you up the division. Or Luke Rockhold is going to do something insane and finish Sean Strickland

and the UFC wouldn't be all that upset if Luke Rockhold had a great performance like that. Or we just get all sorts of crazy and go the Polo Costa route. That's actually going to be my official. no point pick. But Rockhold makes a lot of sense. I'm not even going to take the, the Otno point for the Rockhold rebooking, but you give me Sean Strickland versus Paul Costa. That is, that whole fight week is just going to be bananas and fun. And I'm in for all of it, A.K., I'm in for all of it. Which of these three options we discussed would have the worst trash talk? Costa. Vittori Rockholder. Costas that would be the worst? Vittorian,

Vittorian Strickland would like do press conferences together. Like, it'd be like, if you and I were on a trivia, like on a game show against each other. Like, we'd just, you know, we'd talk a little trash, but it would be all in love and friendly. We'd probably have, like, our arms around each other. That's how this would be, but they would just try to, like, one-up each other with jokes. Kind of like Hermanson and Strickland even wasn't even, they weren't even that. Like, Hermanson was very polite, kind of going like, oh, I don't, you know, his comments

about wanting to murder people. It's not good for the sport. I'm not sure what Strickland said about Hermanson. I don't think he said anything too derogatory. And then there was a little bit of trash talk during the fight. Like, just it was almost half-hearted and, like, right at the end, like, the last 10 seconds, like, come at me. I'm like, where was this?

Like, where was this the rest of the fight? And then I mean, we've had a little bit afterwards. But now, I mean, her message just wrote him a poem. So really, how much bad blood was there? I think, I think actually Rockhold would be the worst. Yeah, that might get pretty bad. But Rockhold isn't due a ton of media. The other thing is, I don't even mean bad, like, like, you know, vulgar or inappropriate.

I mean, like, Rockhold is not a great trash talker in general. He kind of tries too hard sometimes. Or doesn't try it all. Sorry, or the opposite, doesn't try it all. And when he tries, it's really bad, or he doesn't try it all. I think against Strickland, he would try a bit, and it would just be, like, so weak and so ineffectual. And Strickland then would have to maybe ramp it up to promote the fight. I think that would somehow be the worst.

I don't know exactly how the exchanges would be. I want to see that fight. I just think of the three options, the trash talk would be real bad. Yeah, I mean, they're all probably going to be nauseating in their own way. Not good. Not good. Good. Okay, so let's go to Nick Maximoff. Sure.

Jackermanson, there's a lot of listener's suggestions for Jacker Manson, so we'll let those fly. But Nick Maximoff in the quote unquote co-made event improves to 8-0. Again, it is officially a co-made event. We saw both walkout, so it's officially a co-made event. Maximoff, obviously, as everybody saw, the protege of the Diaz brothers, big win over Punis Soriano. Again, not the most memorable performance of all time, but that is a very solid win. this early in your career at just 24 years of age. This kid is just getting started.

He hasn't been doing this very long in the MMA universe. And if you watch the pre-fight show before the card, I picked Baxem off to win the fight by decision in that exact way. Gets out of the first round, that's how this fight's going to go. That's exactly how it went. He moves on. A.K., I know you don't want to rush him too much, but this is a win that comes with a certain stature,

a certain responsibility. Puna is, a pretty legit win. So in my eyes, we're not throwing him into a top 15 fight. He should get a veteran, however. And I think that veteran should be, your boy, Eric Anders. I don't think that's too big of a stretch at all. I actually think that's a perfect step up from Punis Soriano.

What say you? Was Eric Anders from the contender series? No. He was a straight sign. Straight sounding. Okay. Because I want to say, I would love to just keep throwing contender series people at Maximum, I think that's what Cody Brundage was.

He wasn't signed, but I mean, he came off Contender Series. And then Puna was signed up Contender Series a while back, right? Yes. Yeah. This is the realm of opponents that he should be sticking in, I think. Again, I don't want to go over the Co-Mann event thing, but that doesn't mean anything to me. Soriano is a solid win, that I agree with.

But I am very scared for this young man, as you said, 24 years old, getting pushed too quickly just because, I mean, they like him. Again, they put him in this nice spot on Saturday. Saturday. He is, of course, a Diaz, almost an honorary Diaz brother. He carries himself like a Diaz. So fans will be, we'll flock to him. Matchmakers will like him. Dana White will like him. But he is just so young. And his, I'm glad he has a, a, uh, a, uh, a go-to skill in jiu-jitsu, in wrestling in jiu-jitsu. That helps a lot. That actually goes a long way. And we see a lot of prospects who are kind of like decent all-arounders. And you kind of worry what's going to happen when they face someone with, with an A-level skill. And it looks like he has that. So I would have liked to, I mean, ideally you just keep doing a contender series guys, guys who have, who have two, you know, closer to level experience of him. I went a little bit of a different way. I'm going with Roman Delizze. Delizze is also strong grappler.

He's a bit more experienced than Maximov, but not too much. And I also don't see him as being like super threatening to a young guy. And also, I think if he lost to Delizze, I don't think it's too big of a blow. I don't think it's like, oh, he lost Delizzee. This guy's a bus. It's like, Delitzé is solid. is a solid opponent and it will give you a better gauge of where Maximov is in his career. So not the most exciting choice.

I also thought about like Dusko Todorovich, Duran win, but I settled on Deleuze. There's a lot of ways to go with it. Again, I'm saying, please, please, slow roll. Yeah, I think we're both in the right spot. Anders Delezei, I think that's fine. Anyone in that general realm, I think we're okay. Make their holiday unforgettable with a gift that says it all from Pandora. Doolery, a gift that tells a story and shows you know theirs that doesn't just sparkle, but

speaks. From new festive charms to forever rings and personal engravings, this season give a gift that's perfectly theirs. Whether you're shopping for a shiny surprise for your significant other, matching bracelets to celebrate your friendship, or a heartfelt gift for a family member, say more this holiday season with Pandora. Shop now atca.pandora.net or visit your closest Pandora store. Hack the holidays with the PC Holiday Insiders Report. Try this PC See Porquetta, crackling, craveworthy. You're going to eat that? Who are you?

I'm the voice for the next ad, car commercial. But I noticed that show-stopping roast and... Help yourself. Mmm, designed for indulgence. Precision crafted to navigate every corner of my mouth. All for just $18. Okay, okay. Try the season's hottest flavors from the PC Holiday Insiders Report.

Please feast responsibly. But let's probably get to, at least from what I saw from the listeners, the main event of onto the next one this week. The man who stole the show on Saturday, Mr. Shafcott Rachmanoff, the man continues to build that hype at 170, steamrolls Carlson Harris, a very good fighter, spinning hook kick,

stiffs him with some nasty ground strikes. 15 and 0 now, AK, kick us off. Where does Saturday's MVP go? I mentioned this in the post-fight show, and I'm sticking with it. Again, much like... On a card like this, there really is a lot of options for the fighters when you have guys who were like not really near the top 15, top 20,

not in a title chase. And that can be fun. But I went with a pretty safe choice here, a guy with a lot more UFC experience, but who the UFC, I think, has gauged as not even necessarily a gatekeeper, but someone to test new people. They can throw them in with veterans too, but maybe to test new people. So I'll go with Cort McGee for Shavkat Rachmanov. Kind of almost what I said with Maximov, though I think Rachmanov is quite far away

ahead of him, relatively speaking. you give him a guy who is veteran who is tough very tough to put away more of an all-arounder than a specialist and I want to see if Rachmanov can put McGee away I mean that's huge

McGee is again one of the toughest guys to I think one toughest guys to finish you know he's got that slightly above 500 record in the UFC but that's very respectable when you can look at who he's fought and how many of those fights went to a decision and so I think that's about the right level for him I know a lot of people want to rush him up

I understand I could see I could totally see the UFC going all of the whole in on the shopcott hype right now but again i'm i'm mr boring matchmaker so uh cormeggie it is for me so we threw out some interesting names on the post fight show you just mentioned one of them but this morning probably about 45 minutes ago as we record this i thought of another one that is perfect and is the correct answer and i in one i actually feel confident will happen in fact this is one that i that i went with the last time shopcott rochmana fight and i'm going back to the well i know we call for Michelle Paheda.

That would be crazy and fun. I doubt the UFC will go that route. So I'm going back to Santiago Ponsinibio, and I believe the second time will be the charm. That was the fight back then. That is the fight still. And it is more so the fight after this victory over Carlson Harris. It is Ponziabio. That is the pick.

And I'm just going to take my out and point now, because that's exactly what the UFC's going to do here. I think I agree. However, I think that point will be rescinded when that fight is canceled. I can see it being booked. And I, you know, I never like to accuse fighters of ducking or whatever. That's a fight that Ponzi may want to have a well-timed injury. I would, I would, I like Ponziadio a lot. Of course, he's fought, he's been around longer, fought better competition.

I think Rachmanov beats him. I think Ponziab and his team know that. I don't know how much they have to gain from beating him. He is undefeated and there's some hype, but he doesn't quite have that name yet. I think he gets booked, Mike. I think you're right. I just don't think it actually happens for whatever reason.

Yeah, in my eyes, Ponziabio versus Jeff Neal was not just to move up the welterweight ladder. It was to avoid fighting Shafcott-Rachmanoff because the loser of that fight would have been the answer. Had Ponziabio beat Jeff Neal, Jeff Neal would have been thrown into that position. Let's talk about Brandon Allen, AK. gets a nice finish of

Smile and Sam Malvey on four days notice, submits him in the second round fight took place at 205 this is technically a middleweight fight all the statistics all the tail of the tape is exactly the same

so this was kind of tough I like the Mockmood Murdof idea I know that was suggested a lot by the listeners but Casey Liding is going to hate this but I'm going to say it anyways I'm going with Edmund Shabazzian

Edmund needs... Edmund needs to find a way to defeat a sort of grappler first guy. Alan needs to get a win over a solid, dangerous striker. So, yeah, that's a fine fight. I know Chbazian wants... I know Casey wants to throw Shabazzian in against a guy who hasn't even fought on the contender series yet. But, yeah, I'm looking at it through a UFC lens, not a Mike Heck lens. Brennan, Edmund Shabazian, I think it's a perfect matchmaking.

Your thoughts. Plus, there's a little bit of social media beat between these two guys, too, which certainly helps. Yeah, I wouldn't do it. I'm a little bit with Casey on this one where I, you know, we always talk about, man, I wish they could rebuild these prospects, you know, these guys who came in with a lot of hype who maybe had some early success in the UFC and then hit a few snags. Because once you start going downhill in MMA, man, it is, it is tough to start coming. It is tough to get back up. Stage Northcut is another cautionary tale we always bring up. You know, when you reach this level, I know there's no easy fights or there shouldn't be, but there is certainly ways to, you know, make favorable matchmaking and help guys out.

And I don't know if Edmund Shabazian is at the point where they need to do that with him. I think a lot of people have thought about it and asked for that. So Brennan would not be going in that direction. But I also didn't think that was a terrible suggestion. I did see some listeners still that one out there. And I'm like, I understand why. They're probably around the same spot in the rankings. It's just that Allen is trending upwards Shabazian.

The Golden Boy, one so promising, we don't know what direction he's really headed in. So maybe that would be a good test. But if he loses that, I think Shabazian's probably released, right? me four straight yeah pretty good chance so I went instead with Brad Tavares this was booked I apologize to listeners by the way

this is probably my most boring set of picks ever and I'm telling you guys now it does not get more exciting from here stay stay with those folks thanks for tuning in everyone I think I put a lot of thought into these as I usually do but I put like I looked at this

week's fix really like technically and clinically, and maybe that's why I led to these is very logical and not necessarily like passionate picks. But yeah, him and Brad Tavares, they were booked for December 4th, UFC Vegas 44, and the fight fell through for whatever reason. So I say be booked that one. I think that's the right way to go. I'm a believer in Brendan Allen.

I thought taking the Alvey fight was so smart. Get yourself back on that winter's track. Get yourself two paychecks. Maybe get a bonus. Who got them? Shopcott and, oh, she did. Cheaty. But hey, he had a chance for a bonus.

And either way, he got a win, got paid. He's back in the winning. We're talking about him as a winner again. Good stuff. So Brad DeVaris, make it happen again. We had a hashtag and still on Saturday. Brian Battle retains his ultimate fighter trophy, defeating Trashon Gore via unanimous decision.

Battle is a tough man, dude. That last name makes all the sense in the world, basically fought the entire third round with one eye. I was impressed with the heart, the grit, in the determination of won Brian Battle. But I got to say, my first reaction coming out of that fight is that Trayshon Gore is going to be kicking himself for losing that fight. You had a guy with one eye.

You could have just jabbed him to death and you would have won the fight. And instead, he stayed at space. He let Brian Battle pick him apart. And a great win for Brian Battle. I think his stock rises quite a bit. But I think this is more of a Trayshon Gore should be kicking himself and probably getting an earful from the Lima brothers, no doubt about it after that.

loss but Brian Battle retains his title he moves on to other things where does he go where are those other things okay I'm slow rolling again Mike I'm slow rolling everybody all right I saw some I saw the listeners people stay tuned for this suggestions you guys are are mania you guys are maniacs and you are you guys are like go battle in there with Israel out of Sonia he's ready like you guys just don't care you guys see a guy win a fight and God bless you for your positivity and your optimism you just want to see that guy thrown into the wolves right away Buddy Brundage has a fight with Delta Langemula coming up soon, March 12th.

I think the winner of that fight makes sense. I'm bringing battle along real slow. He's what, seven and one now, six and one, seven and one. Talented guy, great personality. Keep him on the prelims or on the lower part of these main cards on these fight night events. And let's build him. I like battle a lot. I had picked him to beat Gore.

He was a slight underdog. It kind of went as I thought it would with Gore being super dangerous and battle, you know, just being a little more technical, more experienced guy. That's what you saw here. You just saw more experience. And I don't want to throw battle in there with guys significantly more experience than him yet. So, Brundage, Langemula winner. It's not super sexy, but I like it.

I thought for sure we were going to have the same pick here. And I was dead wrong. I'm going with the loser of Adasanya Whitaker. No, I'm just kidding. No. Jamie Pickett was the picket for me. I think it's fine. Pickett's got a couple of wins.

They were fine. They were like okay victories. Yeah, we'll go with that. I think experience-wise, that works. And I wouldn't go any higher than that. Any higher than that is silly. And there's some interesting picks from the listeners, no doubt about that. As we move ahead to the second MVP, who probably on most cards would be the MVP,

Julian Arosa, what a Saturday night that man had. And nobody deserves this more because he's had some exceptional finishes since coming back to the UFC. none of them were bonuses from what I recall. He didn't get one for any of the finishes, if memory serves me correctly. Gets a fight of the night by himself because Stephen Peterson missed weight, gets a $100,000 bonus, gets his win money, his show money,

and he gets 30% of Stephen Peterson's purse. Talk about making bank accounts great again. Julian Arosa did exactly that. Juicy Jay gets the big win, and this is kind of lazy booking on my part, lazy matchmaking. But you know what? I want to see it.

I want to see this fight. Julina Rosa versus another winner on this card. Hakim Dawadu, that's the fight to make. And there's some tremendous suggestions for Juliana Rosa that I'll be happy if pretty much any of these get booked. Your thoughts on the surging featherweight veteran, Juliana Rosa. What a juicy win. What a juicy pick that you just gave us, Mike.

He's a juicy, juicy man. And I think we all should. Do you guys see why I have problem with this nickname? Do you guys, the more I say it, do you understand why I think calling a man juicy? It's just not, it's not okay. It's not okay. This and Rod Dog, I'm telling you guys, I'm campaigning against Juicy and Raw Dog. But congratulations, Juicy Jay.

That was huge. He does have one performance bonus. The Dars Choke of Sean Woodson, but you're right, it feels like he should have like at least two more. Such an exciting guy. It's been said many times how long it took him to stick in the UFC. his third run with the UFC. He's done the ultimate fighter. He's done contender series.

He's fought in the regionals. He's had to do it all. It's been so well-deserved. Yeah, hopefully he got all the 100K. I saw Damien Brown beat down Damien Brown say that when he, he was in a similar situation. Apparently he didn't get both checks, but that might have been different. It sounds like as far as we know, Arosa did get paid.

So I like him. You know what? I went a little spicy with this one. I went a little spicy. I want to see him move up in the rankings. I know the UFC kind of views him as a fun fighter, and it's like, oh, we can book him with anybody. It'll be a fun fight.

You know, he's not really in the title picture. Someday if he is, it'll be strictly out of like by accident. You know, it's like, we'll wake up one morning and it'll be like, oh, Julian Orozas won six straight fights. I guess he's a top 10 fighter, you know. But I don't think they push him that way. But I do want to move him up. So I'm throwing him in there with Zubaira Tukugov.

Zubaira Tugov. I have him of quite a few spots higher, probably closer just outside the top 20. Orosa just ahead of the, just inside the top 20s, like around like the 26 to 30 range. So, and at featherweight, that would be a big job. If Arosa beats him and takes his spot in like the top, you know, top 25 just so of the top 20, that's huge. Then again, then we start talking about top 15 opponent. Then we start talking about Julian Arosa as a potential contender. Again, not that it really matters.

Arosa's just a great, exciting fighter. We shouldn't care about titles at this point's career. He probably doesn't either. he's just going to enjoy that extra that extra fat 100 G's as he should. But I think a fight with him too could go would be interesting. I don't think you can go wrong with Julian Orozza right now. I don't think he can. I think everything that fight delivered as most, I mean, that was better than everybody

expected. Everyone expected it to be a great fight, but I don't know if anybody expected it to be that great. That was a wild, bloody battle, and congratulations to Julian Oroza. He's just so juicy. God, he's so juicy. Oh, my God, dude. you're making it way too creepy. Am I?

Yeah. I didn't make up the nickname. I didn't make it up. Yeah, but when you put it in that context, it's a little bizarre and weird. That's how I normally say that word. I'm sorry. It's not my fault. It just has to be said.

Speaking of juicy, let's go to the wild card round. We will select one fighter we have not matched for yet, and we will do so now. So, AK, this could be a loser from the main card, could be a winner from the prelims. Your thoughts, your selection for the UFC Vegas 40s. I'm going with Cheaty, juicy and Jukwani here. Again, someone I thought was going to have a really good U.C. debut, again, because people saw him fighting in Beltor. He's been around for a long time. He has an exciting style.

He shouldn't have had to go to the contender series. I hope he is not on a standard contender series contract. I assume he is. But I hope those things are not uniform and that him and his team are like, you know, we're not exactly some guy coming up, some rookie coming off the street here. We've been around for a while. But he wasn't the only guy with like 20 plus fights to fight on the fifth season of Contender Series, so he probably is in the same boat. I'm going to go with the name you brought up earlier for Maximov. I actually like him and Jukwani to fight Eric Anders. Again, it's just experience-wise. It kind of lines up.

And I wanted to have Injikwani someone tough and someone that's probably higher than him in the UFC's rankings. He's definitely Anders is higher in my rankings. And I think, Injuquani, I think that just works out for him. I think it's another chance for another highlight. It's a respectable opponent, and it would move Injikwani up quickly. Again, he was almost a contender in Belator. I don't know if he can be that in the UFC. I do think the UFC's middleweight division is quite a bit deeper.

But you give him a guy like Anders, test him out there, and you'll learn a lot about what his potential could be now that he's fighting in the Octagon. Good pick. I'm going with juicy Jailton Almeida because he absolutely toward on both Saturday. Actually, again, another guy who probably exceeded the very high expectations that people had for him and certainly that I had for him.

I know he called out Shogun, and while that would accomplish a nice bucket list item, actually, now that I think of it, I could see the UFC absolutely trying to book that fight, but not sure if Shogun would be overthrilled with it. So I'm not going with that. What I am going with, A.K., is opposite of the theme of this episode.

This is a no slow roll approach. I'm going Gialton Almeida versus Jimmy Crute. That is the fight to make. Let's go. 205. Let's let violence commence, okay. I support that. This is not a guy that I feel like needs to be slow rolled.

He has a good amount of experience outside of the UFC. He was 15 and 2 now, right? So this was his 17th, 17 pro fight. So he's not an inexperienced fighter. He just looks the part certainly, and he has, the kind of fighting style that is generally conducive to finding success to the UFC. He's not only has top shelf jiu-jitsu. He's a very strong wrestler. You can't say that about all these fighters necessarily with strong grappling backgrounds. So when you have that combination and you have his

strength and his athleticism and his experience, slow rolling him doesn't make a lot of sense. And again, light heavy way it's not that deep anyway. So there's not a lot of options to slow roll if that's the way you want to go. So absolutely, I'm with you. Jimmy Crout makes a lot of sense. If people wanted to go higher rank than Jimmy Crute, guess what? I'm kind of down with that too. So, whatever, guys, whatever suggestions you have for Jalitlton-Lameda, I actually didn't get, I don't think I got too many. I am for it.

Push this guy quickly. I think he'll be top, maybe just outside the top 10 by the end of the year of the MMA fighting rankings. And that's a conservative estimate. He might be in the top 10. Yep. That guy is super good. He is the real deal.

Do we have any check the tapes, mic checks, anything of that sort, any bonus coverage here? before we go to the listeners. Just some quick listeners did a good job picking out Paul Craig, Nikita Krillov, March 19th, Oliver Gaichi, which we all wanted, and it seems like an easy pick. But it wasn't guaranteed. We were all scared that might be some McGregor thrown in there or something, but that is happening now. UFC 274, May 7th.

And a fight that feels like it should have been booked like 50 times, Holly Holm and Katlin Viata. That's May 21st. I believe it's the May 21st. Headliner, I think that's the plan. So exciting stuff there. And I will give a solo Otno point to the Poconos picker Jay Donagy, who threw out Mark Giakeesie and Borchew, what's this guy's first name again? I apologize. There's just so many names.

Who just recently made his debut, a Vyacheslav. Vyachaslav Borchab will be fighting Marcha Kizzi. It looks like on March 26. And Jay Donagy, you're the only guy I remember seeing that with. So a solo on no point to you, sir. Very nicely done. Very nicely done. Let us go to the listeners so they can try to get their own solo otno points.

Why don't we give the typical disclosure, A.K. There's some addendums this time, too, my friend. Yes, I listen, emphasis on winners and losers, unless they're in the main inventor title five. But I mean, whatever. You know, send in whatever you guys want. If you want that solo point, we generally use a category's rule. And if you were the only person to send it to me, I will probably give you a point. Guys, pay attention, please.

Wait what way class the guys are in. Have they fought already recently? is someone notably injured for a long time. Someone's still not on the roster anymore. And the fighter could also already book. These are things that are so easy to check, guys. Topology.com, suredog.com, whatever database you want. Our website, M.A.fighting.com.

It's easy to find these things. Your pickings might be Do Do, and we don't want to read it. That's the golden rule. So if you have a bad pick and you didn't hear it, well, now you know why. Three other things. I saw some picks for Brendan Allen at 205. Guys, I don't think Brendan Allen's sticking around at 205. It's not impossible, but Mike, you probably no, right?

I would say, I mean, unless it's a short notice thing, yeah, probably not. Because this was really a middleweight fight. I mean, Sam Alvey's last fight was a middleweight fight. So this was just a middleweight fight. It was a replacement, short notice replacement. And they just said, well, it doesn't make sense to cut down to 185. So I doubt it. Also, I saw, did you see a lot of this?

Brendan Allen, Gerald Mears shirt? I did see that. Yes. They're not, they're good friends. They're not going to fight. They still train together, right? There's still both roof of sport guys, right? Yeah, I, I believe, is in Florida now.

Okay, that's right. So I think he's at Sanford, M.M.A. Or somewhere down there, but I'm sure. But, yeah, him and Mierrecher are buds. And by the way, I actually texted Gerald Mersharp because I was like, Brennan Allen had called out Anthony Pettis about giving him some money that he owed him or whatever. So I texted Mershaw to see if there's anything to that. And even he had no idea.

He goes, it's some kind of inside joke between the two guys. So he's friends with both of those guys. of those guys. Him and Allen are buds. Like they're super duper close. So yeah, that fight's not happening. And this last thing,

I just want to nip this in the bud before. This is the second week in a row. I think someone has sent me, second episode in my yesterday. Someone has sent me some clown-ass raptors take. I'm not even going to acknowledge what this take was. But guys, listen, if you want to talk basketball,

that's great. I'm a huge basketball fan. If you're going to talk about the Raptors, at least, you know, fool me into thinking you've watched the game because I know when people make, no, that's true.

I know when people make dumb-ass comments with the Raptors that they clearly haven't watched them play. So I won't acknowledge going forth. I'm just not going to acknowledge these. I know I'm encouraging it. I'm sure I'll get like 50 people send me stupid-ass Raptors takes now. That's fine.

I'm just going to ignore it. And if it annoys me enough, I just won't read the rest of your message. So there you go. So send in your clown-ass raptors takes at your own risk. You know who you are. Yes. If you're going to send in Raptor's takes, come correct. Come correct with some facts and some figures.

Let's get right into this. Owen Carroll, always coming in first, which is smart, because then you get your picks out there. first. Malcolm Gordon versus Tyson Nam, Phil Roe versus Michael Morales. Wow, that'd be a crazy fight. Almeida versus Daunjung, Alexis Davis versus Vanessa Mello, Cheedy versus Brendan Allen, sure. Dawadu versus Feely, Cassinated, Davy Grant. Ooh, that's fire. Rosa versus Ryan Hall, A.K., how about that? RIPA, R.P. Arosa. Okay, go on. Brian Battle versus Jamie Pickett. Rock Mottoff versus Jeff Neal, Maximoff, Micolitis, Sean Strickland

versus Marvin Vittori. There you go. Brandon Nunez, Hakeem Dawadu versus Dan Igay. Not bad. Rachmana versus Paheda. Maximoff versus Battle. I think Maximoff's a little bit ahead.

Yeah, I'm Maxime. You think Max? Yeah. Yes, Maxim. But I don't mind it. I don't mind. Again, I don't care. I know I said slow roll both guys,

but that to me, that does slow rolling to me doesn't necessarily mean protecting someone's record. I don't care if either guy takes a first UFC losses. Especially if it was maximum of losing the battle or battle losing the maximum of. That's fine. That's explainable. You're throwing two prospects in there.

Someone has to lose. I think it'd be a good experience for both guys. I actually don't mind that. And he also suggested Jack Comanson versus Chris Wydenman. I think I saw that too. Again, Wyden is a guy who we almost have to put on the list of like maybe we don't make matches for him just because his time timetable for a comeback is so indeterminate. But that is a very, very logical first opponent for him. if Hermanson wants it.

I like it, yeah, I like it quite a bit. Dylan, hey Mike, hope you and AK are doing well. Here's my picks. Brett and Allen versus the winner of Alex Paheda and Bruno Silva. I like it. I could see, he'd love to throw a wrench in those plans for like, you know, Adisania opponent. Rock Mata versus the winner of Neil Magni versus Max Griffin on March 26th.

And then he also says, by the way, just to clear things up for A.K., when I said that Cater was the fourth best featherweight in the world, I meant the fourth best featherweight in the world, not just the UFC. Don't know what that means. Was that a rankings question? Ranking show question maybe? I don't know. Okay.

I'll just say your comment has been acknowledged, sir. There you go. Poppy underscore Bryant. Good morning, Mike and AK. Had no power for 26 hours, but the M.M.A. gods turned on two hours before the start of the fights. How about that? Wildcar pick from last week's Bellator card, Enrique Barzola versus Josh Hill.

that would be the alternate bout for the Bannamweight Grand Prix. So the winner of that would be the alternate for the Grand Prix. Don't dislike that. Julian Orozah versus Andre Feeley, perhaps sending Stephen Peterson to lightweight. Brian Battle versus Duran Win. Brandon Allen versus Bradtavar's rebook it. He's with you. Rachmanov versus Magni.

I would assume that is if he beats Max Griffin. He said also, I feel bad for Harris. I watched him on looking for a fight. He's a great fighter, but shouldn't have been fighting Schofcott. No way Magny says no to that fight. if he gets it. And Maximoff versus the loser of Julian Marquez versus Kyle Dachus. You like that one in the right range?

You said that was Maximo? Maximov versus the loser of Marquez Dacchus. Yeah, yeah, the loser that fight, sure, sure. Again, I don't know. I think I'm a little less bullish on Maximo's prospects than other people. Maybe because I've seen him less. I'm not sure because I didn't see his guy. I don't think I's, oh, no, no, I saw his contender's performance and I watched the

Brundage fight. I don't know. Yeah, yeah, that's fine again. I just want to hold, I just want to hold people back, Mike. That's kind of person now. I want to hold people back in their careers, all right? I hear you. What a guy you are.

John Ray, Gordon versus Zuma Guloff. Questions to split decision. Alexis Davis versus Ashley Evan Smith. I think we need to have a rule that we can't put Ashley Evan Smith in any fights. What is the last time she fought? Is she still on the roster? I mean, I don't think we ever said she was released, but. No.

I mean, I don't think she's I'm not interested in that. What does Alexis Davis have to prove by beating Ashley Evan Smith? She'd be like a 10 to one favorite in that fight. November 2020. That is her most recent fight. Ashley Evan Smith. Yeah.

So I don't think it happens. I think we got to think a little higher for Alexis Davis after that win. Dawadu versus Sean Woodson, Cassonata versus Casey Kenney. Arosa versus Billy Q. That is super fun. Allen versus Heinish. There's some heat on that one. Rachmanoff Ponsinibio

Maximoff Delizé Hermanson Tavares Strickland versus Cannonier win or lose and then he also picks Benson Henderson versus the Kevin Lee Diego Sanchez winner

at Eagle FC 48 or whatever Sure I did see a few people mentioned Benzs I'm glad there's enthusiasm around Benson Henderson again and people are making matchups for him that's good

what was the one you read a couple before that I'm sorry I peeked me it was can you read those last two picks you did Hermanson Tavares, Strickland Cannonier win or lose. Yeah, I mean, you have to think of Cannoneer wins, he gets a title shot.

Oh, unless, and if Adasania wins. Yeah, Adasania would have to win. Immediate trilogy, right, with Bitteridge, if you lost. But, yeah, presumably, if Adesania wins, you don't make cannonear fight again, right? Why? Why would you do that? No. Okay.

Yeah, I mean, yeah, we'll see. Cannonier's not, you know, we'll see. I don't know. Maybe Asanias has other ideas. I don't know. Who knows? It's UFC and the UFC does UFC things. Turned Ferguson likes Nick Maximoff versus the winner of Wellington Termin versus Misha Sarkintov.

That's not like terrible. That's good. Termin's, again, a little bit closer as far as I think skill-wise. But Sirkenov again has not looked great. Did not look great at 185 in his debut. I still think maybe, you know, stealing the weight cut. So we'll see how he looks against Terman. He said winner of this fight?

The winner of that fight, yeah. winner, man. I don't know. Circanov. I feel like Serkenov would be bigger than him, too. Yeah, I don't mind it. It's not like a terrible fight. Either of those. Rachmanov versus Daniel Rodriguez. I don't love that one, just because they're two kind of up-and-comers, and I think the UFC has something with both of these guys. Yeah.

Yeah, it's kind of a tough one. I mean, I'd watch the hell out of that fight. Brennan-A. Christoph Jocko, I think that's been a popular one. Brian Battle versus the winner of Jacob Malcun versus A.J. Dobson. That's fine. I like that one. I think that's perfect. Good thinking. Juliana Rosa versus Land of Anada.

That's fun. Yep. Cassadeta versus the winner of Douglas Silva, Dan Drogh versus Sergei Marozoff, Duadu versus Bill Algio, Cheeady versus the winner of Marquez Daucus, Alexis Davis versus the winner of Josiani Nunes, Jennifer Aranada,

Almeida versus the winner of Olegzechuk versus Dustin Jacoby. Good Lord, that is a lot of fun. Phil Roe versus the winner of Jeremiah Wells and Blood, Diamond, Malcolm Gordon versus Jeff Molina. Did they actually write Blood Diamond or did they write his Mike Mathitha? Yeah.

Yeah, they wrote the real name. They wrote his real name. Why are people, can we not agree to his Blood Diamond? Is he not Blood Diamond? That's, I mean, that's what I'm calling him. I saw, I remember when, like, people were talking about it first, they were just calling him Blood Diamond. I didn't even, and then I saw other people when they started,

I'm like, Mike Mathitha, who the hell is that? And then I was like, oh, that's Blood Diamond. I see Mike Diamond. We should make this. And then I saw Mike Diamond. Yeah, and I'm like, Mike Diamond. I'm like, if you're going to throw the diamond in there, just throwing the blood as well. Why are we half-assing this?

Yeah, let's just go. That's be a new part of the disclaimer next week. Guys, if you're matching up Mike Mathitha. Oh, after he fights, they go. After his fights, I'll tell people, if you're matching him up, just call him blood diamond. Yeah, I don't want blood methitha or anything like that. Please, you know, that's the worst one. Chris London, Strickland versus Costa, Maximoff versus Maximoff versus Battle.

I got, I have no problem with that. Yeah, that makes sense. Rockmanoff versus Tim Means. idea. Brandon Allen versus Jocko, another one for that. Dawadu versus Correntillo, Almeida versus Khalil Roundtree. Holy moly. Roundtree is fighting someone. Yeah, he's, he's in he booked, I forget. He's fighting, oh my gosh, it's right in front of me and I can't find it. It's, don't move on, don't worry. Okay, come back to it. Call of Robeson, Carl Robeson, March 12th. Oh, boy, yeah. Max

Sherman, Coronel versus Rosa, Allen versus Murdof, Battle versus Jordan Wright, Maximoff versus Mark Andre Barrio Gore versus Andreas Micolaitis Rachmanov versus Li Jing Liang Marcus

going to the chart here we're not going to read off all these Maximoff versus Adolfo Vieira Cassinada versus Vince Morales Chiti versus Murdof

Alexis Davis versus Bia Malekhi Almeida versus Alonzo Menafield Does Hadolfo Veeta not kill Maximov at this point their careers. Am I overrating Bayetta? Is it the cardio thing too? Maybe Maximov has probably

superior cardio. We think he could outlast him. I mean, in a straight grappling matchup, does not destroy him? Yeah. I mean, he'd have the advantage. Maximoff is slick. I don't like that. I would look at that fight the same way I looked at the Puna fight. If he gets out of the first round, Maximoff would probably win the fight. The cardio would be a big difference. The cardio would be a huge. Haddaa's cardio very, very suspect. But I think he just destroy Maximil. But I thought he'd destroy you, I'll Plopjeer Hernandez too. So, I mean, there you go. There you go.

Gerard Biagin. Puna versus the winner of Joaquin-Bucley versus Al-Asan. I like that idea a lot. Rachmane versus Chaos Williams. Wow. Winner gets top 10-15 opponent. That's fun. Wow, that's a fun fight.

Love it. That makes a lot of sense. Dawu versus Juliana Roses to bring out the best in both men. Cheedy versus Roman Delizze. Harry DeWoskin. Malcolm Gordon versus Zeruk, Adish, Phil Rowe, versus Nicholas Dalby Jalton Alameda versus William Knight

William Knight's actually fighting next well I mean it's possible William Knight's fighting Maxim Grishian next week at UFC 271 so it is possible John Cassonata versus Tony Gravely that's fun Julina Rosa versus Bill LGO Battle versus Pickett Maximoff versus Duran win Sean Strickland versus

the therapist stop talking all the smack about killing someone and then have three straight mad decisions holy cow Harry I like it Man, how tough is Bantamweight if you're, I was thinking about the castanate. Like you beat a Miles Johns and then you run like you run into a Tony Gravely. And then even beating him like, I don't know how much it moves you up.

It's such, that's, that's ridiculous. It's like, really tough. It's like going to a carnival and you play that game where you take the little round ball and you roll it up. But you only get it into the one and the horse only moves like one little gallon. Oh my gosh. That's what that's what Bannamweight's like right now. You can only throw out a one. Like there's no sixes and five's and fours.

just ones. That's what the Bannamweight Division is like right now. That's so tough. Daniel Marcoulis, first time, long time, you know the schick. Anyways, I have Schofcott versus Nico Price. I feel like Price has become the go-to guy regarding matchmaking for exciting up-and-comers, but after seeing that fight and knowing Price, it seems like that would be a great fight. Also would give either fighter, specifically Shafcott, that extra leg up into the top 15. I was going to say Strickland versus the loser of Canada versus Brunson, but I'm not sure if the actual presentation of this win really gave Sean that kind of boost. which he seemed to agree with.

That said, as Jose said, I do like the prospect of Strickland versus Vittory. Both have great cardio, both need something to get them a little more notoriety with the dub. I think if Sean wants a shot at the title, a win over some beast like Vittori will boost his stock even more so after an obvious win over Hermanson, who unfortunately cannot beat that top echelon,

which I guess can give Darren Till a reason to step in the cage against Jack Hermanson. I don't know. I've typed a novel that I doubt will be read. AK will not enjoy that. I think AK probably like that. I love when people. I love when people.

I wish we had more time to read like everyone's full post. Sometimes I do tend to cut the people's posts down, but I like when we have time to read everyone's. And I like Hermansantzantile. That was booked before. It made a lot of sense then. It still makes sense now. Hopefully they can line that one up again.

Francesco, our fan from Italy. Maximoff Delizzei, Wildcarts, Cassidata, Umar, Namar Gamarameh. Alexis Davis versus Raquel Pennington Tino Alvarez Maximoff versus Anders Rakhmanov versus Elizos Aleschi dos Santos Chidi versus John Young Park

Alexis Davis versus Julia Avila Julia's got just had knee surgery not long ago because she was supposed to fight Raquel Pennington in December something happened I forget what the exact injury is

but she's going to be out for a while so if Alexis Davis is out is it going to sit out for a little while maybe until like the end of the year Yeah, maybe. I want to see. I saw a lot of that from the listeners. Alexis Davis Davis versus Julia Avela.

So shoutouts to Dax at Pike Put on Twitter, who just put hashtag, Alligator versus Raging Panda. That's a great hashtag. Very long, but I do like that. That is a good hashtag. Maybe Gator versus Panda would just be easier, but what else we got?

Almeda versus Devin Clark, Phil Roe versus Munir Lazez, Malcolm Gordon versus O'Day Osborne. Tristan Gordat, Rokbana versus Alasky, a veteran, fought some tough fighters coming off win. It could be a really fun fight. He likes Carlson Harris versus Chaos Williams. Juliana Rosa versus Shane Burgos. Do I have to say anything else? It shouldn't even

be a question. That would be fun. Malcolm Gordon versus Bruno Silva. And he made sure he put in parentheses the flyweight version. Well said. Jared Cowada. Roe versus Semelsberger. Semmelsberger is fighting A.J. Fletcher, March 12.

If memory serves it correctly. What a pull. So, yes. I can't correct you on that. I just, yeah, I just saw that. I'm pretty sure I'm right about that. Chidi versus Dusko Tadovich, Duado versus Billy Q, Rachmanagh versus Li Jiangliang, Maximoff versus Ian Hynish. And the oneonta barber just came through with Jack Hermanson versus Ian Hinesh. And Sean Strickland versus Derek Brunson.

I guess win or lose next week. But you mentioned you said that last one, not this was the last listener, Erosa Burgos, right? That was Tristan Gordet, erosa. Tristan. Our boy, Tristan Gordet. What's up, Tristan. But featherweight, again, same thing you said about Bantamweight. When you're in that middle of the pack at featherweight,

it's like you have to beat like three people to move up like five spots. And that doesn't even put you in the top like 15. That's like get you, you can move up five spots closer to the top 15. It's so, so difficult. It's the opposite of light heavyweight. We were like we were saying with Jailton. Jailton could win like maybe like two fights over the next like nine months. And we could be talked.

He'll probably be ranked. Yeah, featherweight is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. Featherweight and Bantamweight, lightweight, of course, historically always. But man, right now, Featherweight and Bantamate. So many good, fun matchups to be made, but, like, it just feels like you have all these great middle of the road fighters that are just going to end up devouring each other.

You know, it's just, I don't know who can go on, like, a five-fight, six-fight run with some of the names that have been thrown out there for like a Rosa, Burgos, Fili, Quarantillo, all these guys. It's just, it's absurd. Absolutely absurd. On to you, AK. All right. You mentioned a lot of these. So I'll just mention some of the most popular ones I saw from the listeners. Strickland versus some combination of the Brunson

Canonnier winner loser Strickland versus Paulo Costa Strickland Vittory I saw a little bit Strickland Till which I actually like a lot but it does seem to have fallen and I think people on previous episodes has suggested that one more

it seems to have fallen on the back burner now I do think Till's but maybe lost a little bit of his shine as far as being a contender goes Rachmano versus Ponziadio was the most popular pick for Shavcott that I saw again I found Ponznipeo I don't want that all the Brendan Allen Mordov stuff Mike I know you had a few people suggest that

I don't know is like do people just want to see him finish the job that his buddy Mershirt started like it's a good match I mean and Mirdov is so good like I mean I don't he shouldn't lose that much luster for losing the Merech shirt you know again because Mershirt I think is also good um I think there's a little bit different paths right now I get why people want it but uh the most the most popular thing I saw from Brennan Allen was Shabazzian people want to see that battle ton of suggestions uh Julian right Julian Wright was the one I saw the most Jordan Wright? I'm sorry, Jordan Wright. Julian Wright is a former NBA player.

So you got NBA MMI because these haters, Mike. The other one I saw quite a bit. Battle versus Petroski, I don't like this. They fought on the show. Battle submitted him. And the show was less than a year ago, guys. I'm not sure why. And this was specifically mentioned as a rematch by at least one listener. I don't know why people would be so eager to see him fight Petroski again. And I think Petroski is a fine prospect. I just don't know why does Battle have to beat him again to to advance. So I don't like that. That could happen somewhere down the road.

Again, and you bill it as that ultimate fighter rematch. Yeah, I think you got to remove battle from the tough equation now. It's over. It's done. It's done. He's off the show.

He just, he won the finale twice. What else is this man to do? And he already beat Petrovsky. Which is awesome, by the way. That was the best thing. Outside, start to finish,

pretty good night for Brian Battle. Pretty good night. Comes out to Triple H's, WWE theme song. Brings the trophy with them. which I thought was a brilliant move on his part. Good, good work. If this is like the NHL, he's like the third star of the night.

Calls out team Volcanovsky. Like, why didn't you guys pick me? This show filmed like a year ago. And he's been holding on to that beef until today. The Penny Wars were won by Brian Battle on Saturday. That is for damn sure. I was like, there is, I would say, three percent of the viewing audience, Mike,

had any idea with that he was talking about when he brought up his beef with the team of wokenowski. Were you one of them? I mean, he mentioned drafts. I figured he was, he felt disrespected by the drafting, but I have no idea what he meant specifically. That was wild. Julian de Rosa, people really want to see him for his Darren Elkins or versus Quarantillo.

I'm kind of favored the Quarantillo one over that, but yeah, you know, can't go wrong. Dawoodoo versus Feeley. I feel like this has to happen. A lot of people called for it. And Jukwani versus the Al-Hassan Buckley. winner loser or some combination there. A lot of people want Jailton, Almeida and Menafields. I would

love to see that. Again, just just the Williams, Mike. I mean, outside of just like looking at people who you wish you could look like physically, I have no interest in that fight. I'm sorry. I think Almeida would

absolutely destroy him. I think he's a nine to one favorite in that fight. Not no. Yes, I do. I do. I think 5 minus 500. After the William Knight fight, you can't have that confidence. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. And I like William Knight a lot. I think he's a great personality. But you think Alonzo Menafield's best chance to win that fight is to do what he did to William Knight and just hold him against the fence and not let him do anything. Because if Jail Linau Mada takes him down, he is done. He's getting smushed.

And if he gets into a striking battle, yeah, he might be able to land a big shot. shot in that first round, but chances are Alameda's going to smush him. And I don't like that fight. Alonzo's got, Alonzo, you could do something with but don't feed him to

Alameda. Don't, just don't. I don't like that fight at all. Listeners, when this fight is booked, remember this for a future Mike check. Okay, I'm with you guys on And if the fight is booked and when it's over, you're going to say, Mike, you're right. This should have never happened. I've never said that before, ever. Phil Roe

versus Andre Fialo. I just wanted to shout this. A few people suggested and our guy Michael Connoffrey of the Otno and M.A. Fighting Memes page has a great nickname for Phil Roe. He called him Phil two in a row. And I think as long as Phil's, I think as long as Phil Rowe's, like wins. I hope next time Bruce Buffer introduces him as Phil two in a row next time. And then so on and so forth, he wins again. You feel three in a row.

That is a great gimmick. That's a great gimmick. So Michael Connoffrey, thank you very much for that suggestion. I might actually, I'm breaking news. I am going to text. Please. Phil Roe's manager right now to set up an interview with Phil Roe for We Got Next. And I'm going to bring that up to him because I think that's brilliant.

I can keep going. Yes, it just go. I mean, if he just loses his next fight, it's a total bust. If he loses two in a row, you could still go with it. And at least we go, no, no, I think he has to keep winning. And then I think if we at least get to like Phil four in a row, then this was all. worth it. And then if he loses then, it's fine. It's, you know, it happens. But if he, if he gets at least four in a row, that that'd be so cool. I love it. I love that so much. All right. I'll go to Jay Donagin

our emails to lead off the rest of these, these picks because he did get our solo. Atta No point. So this is another reward for that. He likes Max, Maximo versus Injokwani and Strickland versus Whitaker. If he loses to Adisanya, I think that's very likely to happen if Whitaker does lose again. And I think Whitaker would love to fight Strickland. Casey Carpenter always sending us nice messages along with their emails. Casey just want to say congratulations to Jed. Jed Mishu, of course, for anyone who may have missed the news is a full-time MMA fighting her now.

And Casey suggests that we do a podcast together, The Prince of Positivity and the King of No Gray area. I deal with Jed a lot. I deal with John a lot before he was full-time. So I don't know if I'm down with this. But let's just say you will be seeing a lot more of Jed, seeing and hearing a lot more of Jed in the months to come. they like the show.

They gave it an eight overall. So thank you, Casey. And Casey says, I hate to go this way. We can't match trick until next week. If Izzy wins, Sean gets a tell a shot or Whitaker fight. Most likely, Whitaker fight. Izzy should fight the winner of the featured bout, the cannoneer, Brunsson bout if he wins.

If Robert wins, you get a trilogy, and then Sean fights the Branson Caneer winner. So, Rachmanov versus Jeff Neal, Battle versus Maximo Allen versus Murdov. Again, a lot of people recommended this. Oh, this is what I wanted to. So Casey says for Smiling Sam, he needs to go into just coaching at his gyms. I think his flight days are over. I've heard him in interview say he enjoys coaching. So, and then he says, thank you for all the great content.

And as a resident of the Savannah slash Hilton Head area, respect to Mike Heck for wearing the Bluffton basketball shirt in the pre-show. That's right. All right. I didn't understand any of that. Yes, I coach my kids team and that's the shirt we wear when we coach our team. So let me say, I just want to say this. And I think you can agree with me on this,

okay. The negativity and the, dare I say, hate, if you will, towards Sam Alvey, is a disgrace. Honestly, it's a disgrace. You cannot be mad at Sam Alvey for this, okay?

He is doing what he loves to do. The man has a smile on his face. It's not easy to smile when you're winless in eight fights. The guy still finds a way to show up and have a positive attitude and all of that. If you have a problem with this, don't blame Sam for this. You blame the UFC.

You blame the matchmakers. Do not blame Sam Alvey for doing what he loves to do. If the UFC's going to keep booking, what's he going to say? No, I don't want to fight for, I don't want to fulfill my dream anymore. I don't want to fight for the UFC and do what I love to do more than anything in the world, win or lose. You cannot blame him for this. any hate will not be tolerated on this program.

It will not be tolerated. Wait a minute. Blame the UFC, not San Albi. That's the point I'm trying to make. Mike, on the Prince's positivity, I don't hate anybody, first of all. I don't hate anybody. I don't believe in it. It's a bad emotion.

It takes a lot of energy. I'm too lazy to hate people. So I don't hate Sam Albi. And I agree with many of the points I just made. Hating him for having a job is absurd. They keep bringing him back. They keep bringing him back. What's supposed to do?

Did people want Sam Alvey to say, no, I've lost too many fights. I don't think you should book me again. I don't want another UFC check. I've lost too many. No, well, he's not going to do that. They want to keep giving him chances. I mean, do I think it's absurd that they don't release him? Yes, but like you said, that's not his fault.

Now, I do think, again, if people, there's reasons not to like Sam Alvey. Okay, listen, one, he had some dumb ass comments about the COVID pandemic when it started. So that's one reason. I don't know how much people care about that. More objectionably, though, I mean, that doesn't even matter to me. Most objectionably, he has the worst walk. up music in all of MMA. Hey,

Soul Sister by Train, which is just an atrocity of a song. I love his positive energy, so I get it. I get as part of his gimmick. That song sucks. Please, Sam Alvey, that to me is the most offensive thing about him

and his personality and his general existence is coming out to that song. I hate that song. That is a really bad song, and that song really opened my eyes to what Train really is. What Train really is, is they just, you know,

someone like a seven-year-old wants to write his mom a poem for her birthday and he just finds random things to rhyme with that's what train is listen to and now you have to go back and listen to every train song and you will realize that that's what they do because none of their songs make any sense at all not any semblance of sense whatsoever they do have some good tunes i enjoy the song drops of jupiter i'm a fan i love that song that's just about it's about it what's the san francisco song save me san francisco that's good too more than i know that's good to it i do like that but Yes, Haisal sister sucks. It's really terrible.

I apologize to my mom. My mom loves train. I apologize to my mom. She's listening, but I'm just not a fan. Going to Twitter, our first leading off, Sam Hancock, they say, this is a first time contributor. They say they love the show. Want to send their picks from Waco, Texas. Shoutout to Waco.

That's what's up. So Sam likes Strickland Whitaker, assuming he loses to Edisanya, Hermanson, and Nasruddin I'mavov, Rahmanov and Muslim Salakov, Brendan Allen, Phil Haas, and Chidi and Jekwani, and, oh no, I should have, I didn't bet this. Chita and Jokwani and Matt Brown?

Oh, Sam. Chidi and Jokwani is a middleweight. Now, he did try and make welterweight. He did compete at welterweight in Beltor. I believe he missed weight or took several, several 175-pound catchweight bouts. But Sam, it's your first time, so we all make mistakes.

I will not come down hard on you. And let me add to this real quick. I have to, I'm pretty sure because what stood out about Cheaty in before the fight even happened was the Barry White-esque deep voice. And from what I understand, his voice was not always like that. His voice kind of became that way because of the constant weight cutting to 170 became too much that it actually like changed his vocal cords. It did something to his breathing into like his chest and his throat area, which is. is why stays at 185 now. So you're suggesting people want to, people want to sexy voice like Cheetah and

Chiquani do some extreme weight cutting. Yeah. For a couple of years. Yeah. Become a fighter and then cut way too much weight and maybe you can get that voice. Wow. Isn't that crazy? Legally, by the way, we can not.

Just people please. Don't do that. We don't do that. We're not giving that advice. And Sam says he'll be in Houston for USC-271. So Sam, have fun, man. Enjoy yourself. Thank you for sending in picks.

I'll run through some of these quick. Chris at Dragon Slater 2 also liked Phil Roe versus Munier-Lazez. That was one I probably would have picked for Phil Roe if I'd gone with that. Ryan Doherty coming in with Brian Battle versus Mark Andre Barrio. Now, I don't know how much. I think logically it makes sense. I would feel a little bit bad for Mark Andre because I do feel like that would be a sign that they see him as a stepping stone. Again, good to see that they're invested in battle.

But, man, I hope that's not where the direction they're going with him. But that was a tough loss. I mean, when you get dropped in 16 seconds and your 2 and 4 in the UFC after that, I don't know how much stock the UFC is going to put in you. So hopefully at least he gets another fight. At A.O. It's dad. Yeah, Battle versus Michaelitus. Maximov versus Dustin Stoltzfuss.

Dax at Pike Putt. I mentioned him before. Hermanson versus the Curtis Duplice winner, Mike. UFC 273 April 9th. Hermanson versus Curtis or Duplice. I like that idea a lot. actually. That's a good idea.

I like it. If Curtis knocks off Duplice and then beats Hermanson, like by the end of this year, we'll be legitimately be talking about Chris Curtis for UFC Tyler Shot. It's possible. That's a long way to go down here. I mean, Duplice, I will probably be favored and reasonably so. He'll win and then he'll fight again like next month.

He'll fight like nine times this year if he wants to. Anyway, action man. UC 273, April 9th guys, he'll be back. Yeah. I saw people suggesting the Alvi. I think you mentioned this one too. Albi versus the Al-Hassan Buckley winner. And I also want to say what Dax had to say about this.

It's a little cruel, but not so objectionable that I won't read it out loud on a podcast. Oh, because he doesn't think Albi's going to get cut off of a short notice. Well, it was Brendan Allen that was coming on a short notice. But he doesn't, he's not going to get cut off short notice. And I chose this as a punishment. Why? See, Mike, this is what you're saying. Why do punish Sam Alvey for one?

What? Why does he get punished? What did Sam Alvey do? You don't punish Sam Alvey. If you're going to punish anybody, you punish Mick Maynard and make him fight the winner of that fight. Like, you don't make Sam Alvey fight the winner of that fight. He's been punished enough for having the worst walkout music in MMA. He's lost six of his last seven fights, for my God's sake. Oh, sorry, seven of his last eight fights now.

Seamus Law, what do we got here? Maximo versus, oh, I want to talk to about this. Nick Maximo versus the Gregory Rodriguez Armin Petrosian winner. Actually, didn't even know if that was happening, I'm embarrassed to say, February 26th. Now, clearly he gets his flight to the ground. He probably beats either. Actually, Rodriguez is a really good grappler. Yeah.

Rodriguez would. I know if I think I hate Nick Maximum, we'll have to, we'll see what I'm saying about him by the end of the year. Rodriguez would kill him. I'm sorry, I know I just said that, Haudolfo Valletta. But Rodriguez, I think, is, like, as good at grappler as him and, like, way better stand. He would kill Nick Maximum. Do I need to watch more Nick Maximov? Mike on my way off on this kid

I don't know it's it's all matchups I would probably favor Rodriguez in that fight but I favor Maximoff against a lot of these like big time strikers like if Maxxia if Maxima fought like Buckley or Alasad I would one million percent favorite Nick Maximoff in that fight

in both of those fights like three to one favorites probably all he needs to do I mean there's knockout power both those guys possess it but Maximoff just needs to get out of that first round he gets out of first round he will win because what he did to Punisoriano, although not aesthetically pleasing, is grueling. And he can do that forever. He could do that for 10 rounds and not slow down. He would not stop. And it's really hard to defeat. It really is. But I guess what I will say is

if you're going to, if you're going to fight Nick Maximoff, if you are a middleweight right now that is climbing the ranks, every callout should be Nick Maximoff, every one of them. Because you got to fight him now. You have to fight him now and beat him now. Because if you don't, he's only going to get better. The striking, you saw, just watch his last two UFC, watch his first two UFC fights. Look at the striking in the Cody Brundage fight. Look at the striking in the first round of the Puna fight.

Now, of course, you don't want to stand in the pocket and start slugging it out with Puna Soriano because you'll lose that battle as he learned in the first round. But his striking, at least the technique, was much better this time around. that's only going to improve. So if you're going to fight Nick Maximoff, do it now, while the going to goin is good, because his improvements are going to be gigantic. I have a feel.

He's really good. I've been telling you about this kid for like three years. He's legit. And he's only going to get better. I don't get it. Listen, people, this is a massive, if he goes like 3 in 0 this year, and we're talking about him at the end of the year for like Friday of the year

or break out Friday of the year, if we bring that award back, which we should. Hey, people check my tapes. All right, check my tapes. I don't get this whole maximum thing. Again, maybe I'm just uninformed. I don't know. I don't get it.

Seamus law also throws out Alexis Davis versus the Aldana Aspen Ladd winner. And that's going down USC 273, April 9th. That would be a huge fight for Alexis Davis to get. Yeah, that's no. Mike is shaking. The loser. The loser. The loser more likely.

But I like Alexis. You know, me, I mean, look, I got to support my, the pride of Port Colburn, Ontario. I got a sport of Alexis Davis. I would love if she got... She didn't even get a post-fight interview. That's kind of like how the UFC views her, you know? Listen, that's, again, we can't...

There's nothing we can do about that. I would love her to get either those names, Aldana or Ladd. If she got the winner, it'd be great. I think you're right. The losers more likely, but I like the matchup, Seamus. Thank you for throwing that one out there. Nicklinville. I want to read what they had to say at the beginning of their intro.

Oh, they got a break. from studying from medical school to actually make a list of picks. So good luck with that, Nick. Wow. School's going well, thank you. See, we have such an educated, smart listener base. We tell people, these guys, you ought to know listeners are incredible. So good luck with that, Nick.

And they agree with me. I set the gymnastics score for the card at an eight, and Nick says that they hit it. I agree. I think it was an eight, seven point eight, seven point seven. It is up there, whatever, you know, however granular you want to get. And up of their picks, I really liked Rachmana versus Lee. I know you mentioned that. I do, it's, it's harsh to say, I do think Lee is a top of Dean gatekeeper.

Yeah, you're not wrong. Nothing wrong with that. Good fighter. That's a good place to be. You can be in the UFC for a long time. You can knock off a lot of good names. I mean, you can build your own resume if they keep throwing you guys like Shemayev, like Rachmanav.

I mean, it's a tough spot. These guys are getting, you know, pushed up the card so quickly for a reason. But if you're Lee, it's a lot worse place to be. So it's not disrespectful at all, I think, to keep them in there with guys. like that. I think it says how tough he is. Ain't no expert is with me on Rockmanab versus Gore McGee. Dawadu versus Ryan Hall, RIP, Dawadu. Oh, there we go. Oops, right. Stephen Breiter

had a really good suggestion. He says, we need to give Julian Arosa a 150-pound catchweight belt, Mike. Oh, I like that. He has three wins now were fights over. Two of them, I believe, were scheduled because either he or his opponent stepped in on short notice. I think Sean Woodson was 150 and then his and then with the, was the fight for this one? Another fight was 150.

This one obviously Stephen Peterson missed weight. It wasn't planned. But yeah, Arosa. And Arosa is that kind of weird. He's competed at featherweight and lightweight. He probably love competing at 150 pounds if that was a regular option. So, hey, Eagle FC, make that 150 pound division.

Bring in Julian Arosa. He could be a star for you. I like Stephen Brighter. I like where your head's at. Hermanton versus Andre Munez, if he beats Uriah Hall, that fights happening April 16th. So that's a good suggestion there as well. Just a few more to go here.

Four Corner Sports, NY, Raqmanov versus Randy Brown, rude boy. Sure. I mean, if they book it, cool. I'll say yes if it's something we can book quickly. If it's something where Rachmanov can fight in like a month, six weeks, two months, sure. If we can get that April 9th in Jacksonville, yeah, I'm in. But if we're going to milk Rachmanov and make him wait five, six months before you fights together, You got to give him somebody that is going to get him into the top 15 guaranteed with the win.

Well, in that case, I'm hoping we get some Shavkat, Rachman, Avon, Avon, in Duval. Shout us, Duval. Castaneda, this suggestion for him, I think this suggestion is a little bit higher in the rankings now after his impressive debut. But four-corner sports, NY throws out. Castaneda versus Victor Henry. Ooh, that is super fun. Great fight. Great fight.

And again, I know Victor Henry's more experienced. And again, he beat a higher ranked guy. But Cassinated has a little more UFC experience. So I can see the matchmaker's doing it. I don't think that's unreasonable. That is fun. That's, that might, wow, that's really good. Kudos.

Who is this? Is this four corner sports? That was four corner sports, N. Well done. Well done. A plus big. Hayes, the third, likes the Hermanson v. Rockhold, put that one back together.

I, again, I'm a fan. Battle versus a contender series fighter. They just said, look, I won't give you a point for that Hayes, but I'm with you in the same thinking. Like, if I had to choose, I'm finding someone for Contender Series, maybe either next season or one of the previous seasons and just keep that going. Alexis Davis versus the Sarah McMahon Carol Hosa loser. I think she lost to McMahon a while ago, but I'm sure, but quite a while ago where at the point, like, that rematch would not, oh, rematch. That rematch would not be unreasonable. So I like that.

That's going down March 26th. Malcolm Gordon versus the Mokaiyev Cody Durdin winner. Mike, March 19th? Yeah, that's right. Yeah. Braden O'Neill, I don't know if you mentioned this. I don't like this at all. Maximo versus Gerald Mearshaert.

Hmm. I don't love it. I'm not a fan. Yeah, I don't like. Too tough but test. Yeah, I'm not a fan. Four times as many fights as as Nick Maximum. I don't care how talented Nick Maximum.

Mearsar has four times as many fights as everybody. I know, I know. But I, you know. He has four times as many fights as Adasania has. There's other options admittedly. That's all I'm saying. Anyway, thank you, Brayden for that and your other picks. Marcus McGahey calls this the, I can't escape it, the 100K Juicy J edition of On the next one.

That actually sounds kind of nice when you put it that way. Yes, Marcus is campaigning for Hermanson Wythman. He's with me on Maximov versus Deleitze. What are some other good ones here? Rosa versus Filia. A lot of people want it. Castanated versus Kung Ho Kang. I like that.

Castaneda really, really was kind of the unspoken stars of that card. That was a great win. Yeah, I know he was on the prelims. So, again, we kind of, you know, a few hours later, you kind of forget. It was such a dominant win over a guy who, Miles Johns, a guy, I respect a lot. So there was a lot of good castaneda suggestions this week. I wanted to read this from at UFC. I got to read this whole name because they're just called UFC News.

So their ad is at UFC MMA News Net. Darren Tilvers, Chidi and Jaquani. My reason is Darren Till is on a big skid, like we've mentioned on the ranking show, but he needs to step down in competition to get a win under his feet, especially someone who's not going to wrestle him as well. And for Chee-D, he should get thrown into the rankings ASAF to shake up the division. This guy is no slouch. He's already 33 and should have been the UFC.

So give him the big name and let him perform. I like that. The reasoning is sound. The UFC will never do it. But I like where your heads out. Why wouldn't they do it? They're not going to give him Darren. They're not going to give him Darren Till.

Are you crazy? They're not. Why do you say these things? If he wins like two more fights and they feel like he could fight for a title, they will give him Darren Till. They will give Sean Strickland Darren Till before they... That would actually... That's a very strong possibility for Sean Strickland to give him Darren Till. Even though Darren Till is on the Schneide and Darren Till's record in middleweight and is not great,

and even though Darren Till only has like one really good win in his career, Darren Till has a name and that name means something to the UFC how they tell their journalists to set up their rankings we've seen it all it's public I'm not saying anything it's not already out there

but you know what I'm saying like Darren Till is there to put over a guy that they feel could be a world champion not saying that cheat he can't but he needs like another winner to he goes out blusters two more guys in the first round, sure. Maybe that gets Darren Till excited. But until then, you save Darren Till for the

Sean Strickland's of the world. The guys who need, Darren Till is like in the Luke Rockhold category right now where you need him to just be there to put over somebody else in a position like that that needs a win that maybe came off a good dominant performance, but nothing to write home about. Those are the guys you put in there with the Darren Till's and the Luke Rockholds of the world. I like the process though If you want to throw them in there against the top 10 guy Go for it like I'm fine with it It doesn't that doesn't hurt my feelings

I just think till is just a little too High on the star power chain for that type of matchup Cheetah Injuquana you just got the second Fastest finish by debuting middleweight in UFC history the third fastest middleweight finish in UFC history period Get those Twitter fingers going

Get those Twitter fingers Call for that Till fight Mike is right his name is way way way bigger than yours he has so much more leverage as far as uh what fights he can get but stranger things have happened them and jacuani take to shoot your shot yes and had he had he in his post-fight interview in that just deep sultry romantic voice of his just said hey darren let's go we have a date with destiny inside this octagon sometime over the summer, bro. Like, he just says

Darren Till's name. People are talking about it. No one's saying like, it's too much. We're all saying like, hmm, that's a pretty good call out. But he didn't do that. And thus, here we are right now trying to defend this. Which, again, based on where Till is ranked, I don't have a problem with the idea.

I just feel like it's kind of a missed opportunity if you really want that fight right now. The fact that we talk about Till so much this week and he didn't even fight and it hasn't in a while. It tells you how big his name is, right?

Nathan, Nathan on Twitter says, Alvi versus me at the pub. Nathan, honestly, don't mind your chance. No, I'm kidding. Alvin is still a professional high level and experienced professional fighter. Mike Trisano is Tristan Connolly. I like that. I don't know. I think, because I like Tristan Conno, one.

And I think Trasano, you know, is a good fighter. I think it's just he's not on the level of a Hakeem Dawadu yet. It was a good fight. And I do want to talk about a guy. like, you know, give him some seasoning. I still think it has a ton of potential. I don't think we've seen anything near the best of Mike Trasano yet. I like to calmly match up.

And Almeida, listen, he called for a veteran. Nathan says, give him Ed Herman. Oh, God. Can you? This isn't, no one should be happy about this. Jalton, Almeida, calling for a fight with Shogun. And they're like, we're giving you a life for it like you asked for Ed Herman. And poor Ed Herman. I'm going to deal with Jalman.

Oh, no. The UFC's going to hear the show and book this one. fight. Oh, now we've done it. Damn it. Damn it. Oh, we've got a mic check. Oh, no.

From our pal. Our man on Ireland, Barry O'Reilly. Listen, he says, he wants an out-no point for Manel Cop versus Sumerich. That was a group point. A lot of people ask for that. But he wants, but he says he wants a little extra because he says that you may have pooed that matchup at the time and said that cop is well ahead of Sumeridge. That sounds like something you would say.

I don't think I poop-hooed it. I think, like, there, trust me, there have, there's probably been a couple on the show. There have been matchups that are made that I poo-poo on. I don't think I poop-poo on that. I don't think I was like, I don't think I went up and on. I don't think there's an Otno fan meme made about me talking about this. Michael grew up there, you know what to do? Yeah, perhaps, perhaps I said maybe this is cop and the Cody Garbrand idea that I

Maybe it's just the way I see Mino Cup. I think the UFC should push him to the moon right now. I think they got something with him. And Sumadiers is a tough fight, man. It's a tough fight. I like the matchup. Like, I'm going to be strapping in for that one. But I just, I thought they would push him a little more.

So I apologize. And Mike check, well taken. And if I, if I poo-pood on that matchup, I don't remember doing that, but you were right. and I was wrong. Barry, you better send Mike a nice message. That was a very, Mike, that was, that's why you're my best friend. You're a classy guy. I don't care what other people say about you.

You're such a classy guy. Come correct. And, you know, that was, I have no problem with that. Well, we don't even know. He says he thinks that you poop. We actually don't even know. So, but I mean, I believe a name like that. You tell me, Barry O'Reilly.

I mean, how can you say, how could you besmirch the Irish name of Barry O'Reilly? Well handled. I want to read out a couple of his fights here. Dawadu versus Tuporia. Duwadu's very good, just in the brink of the top of Dean. Tuporia missed weight after smack-talking of Loyaev for missing their fight due to COVID.

So he should have to fight a non-ranked beast as a punishment with a win for either, giving them even more shine. That's good. I think, I think. Punishment is a great motivation for matchmaking, I think. Mike? I'm thinking. You're thinking about this idea.

Yeah, I don't love it, Barry. Sorry. I don't love it. I don't love it. I want the Vloyafite. I really selfishly want that a loyafite rebuked. I don't. Is it really that big of a punishment? Really? I mean, I like Dawadu quite a bit. Teporia takes him to the ground. It's going to be a rough night for Dawadu. It really is. I mean, is it really that big of a punishment? Let's just give him a Vloyav. A Vloyav has the chance to punish him. Like, if you really want punishment, Vloyv is a better chance to punish him than Dawadu does. In my opinion, in my opinion. I like where your heads at, though.

That's a different suggestion, and you've pretty much guaranteed yourself at Otno point if that fight is booked. You were getting along so well. You're getting along so well. You like this one. John's sexy Mexiccastinada versus Chris El Guapopo Gutierrez, a battle of the attractive nickname Mexicans. Also a nice stand of battle with leg kicks and punches by the bunch. So that's good reasoning. And Rachmanov, I don't even think I...

Oh, boy, I think I'm reading this one. What's this from? Yeah, Rachmanov versus Wonderboy. Damn. Barry says he looks like the real deal. Wonderboy should only be used as a gatekeeper now to the top ten. That's harsh, but not completely inaccurate. I have been more impressed with Rachmanov's rise than Shemayev's.

Wow. So, I mean, he has beaten the better opponents, relatively speaking, if you compare their first two fights. So if he's getting a crazy push, then there is no reason why Shavcott shouldn't. Oh. I love what you're saying. I love what you're saying. And listen, when Pajada's last one, I said they should do Pahada versus Wonderboy.

I think that's kind of where he's at right now. I think Kiyasa's kind of in the same spot, if we're being honest. And I like both those guys. And I have incredible respect for both Wonderboy and Kiyasa. But I feel like they're both sort of in that spot. Now, Rachmanoff and Kiyaz are both managed by the same guy. So I don't know how difficult it would be to put that fight together. God, Wonder, the Battle of the Spinning Hook Kicks, Rock Modop versus Wonder Boy?

Yeah. God. I mean, I mean, I'm in. I would watch the hell out of that fight. Let's close out with our Instagram guys. Always a wild bunch. Michael Conifrey again, coming in at the Otno meme page, coming in with Enjikwani versus Anthony Hernandez. And I like this one, Dawadu versus Barbosa if he loses to Bryce Mitchell, USC 272 or should.

I mean, I'd love to see Dawadu fight Barbosa at any point, win or lose. But I understand the thinking there. Hernandez is booked. Oh, he is. Yes, you're right. He is. Albert Dariath. You're right.

In Duval, in Jacksonville, April 9th. That's right. I totally forgot about that. Shout out, it was Duval. Dad Jackson, Battle versus Duran Wind. Brendan Allen versus Phil Haas. Carlos Torres, Butler, Cazeris, is with me. Like the Maximo versus Eric Anders.

Brendan Allen versus Daryntil and Brian Battle versus Roman Delizze. A lot of delete. say love on this episode. Brandon Haley, Phil Rowe versus Trevin Giles. Trevin Jail? Oh yeah, he dropped down. That's right. Yeah, I like that.

Dawadu versus Dan Ege. Ranked, give him a ranked opponent. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. And Maximov versus Jen Yong Park. A few more to go here. M.M.A. heads. Again, Rachmanab versus Lee. So there's that gatekeeper label again.

Battle versus, this was your pick, right? Battle versus Pickett. Yes. Look at you guys. Castaneda. versus the Montel Jackson-Dana Bat-Gurri loser March 26th. Almeida versus the Roundtree Robinson winner. Roberson, excuse me, winner March 12th.

My man in Markham-Nivathan, Kuganantam, Sean Strickland versus the Adesanya, Whitaker loser. Maximov versus the Termin-Serkotov winner, February 19th. And Phil Roe versus Nico Price. And then we'll just end here with Matt Bradbury. Phil Roe versus Takashi Sato. Has not fought in a while. dust him off so we can get maybe Phil three in a row right there.

And then Jailton Alameda versus Devin Clark and Jaquani versus Jordan Wright. And Carlston Harris versus Kanan Song. So a little deep cut there. So guys, really, really great picks this week. This is, I think, picks wise, I think this is the best episode we've had. Listener picks, the best set of this room. Again, we're only three. It's the best card we've had the year so far.

It's the best listener picks we've had so far. And I think overall, Mike, our best show of 2022. I'm just saying. outside of the predictions extravagant. So this is the best show. Best matchmaking show. I will say that. Guys, we have a lot more shows to come this year.

So please keep sending in your listener picks. You can reach me on Instagram, Alexander KK Lee. That's 2Ks. Twitter, Alexander Klee, just 1K. And email me at Alex. Dotley at SBNation.com. And you can get Mike at? How do I do this?

Yeah, Instagram. Just type me on Instagram. M underscore HECJR. But listen, you may not, I know a lot of you are thinking after these events, I got to get my Ateno picks in. I got to get them in right now because they record the show so early. Next week, however, we're coming off of a pay-per-view. Oh, right. Which means you have extra time.

So you don't even have to submit them. You can just wait. You can wait if you want to until 11 a.m. Eastern next Sunday, February 13th. Want to know why? Because we're going to be going live. We're going to be going live on the M-A-fighting YouTube channel. Following UFC 271, we are back with a post-paper-view edition of On to the next one.

A new tradition here for the podcast where we will be on video form. Just looking all sorts of fresh after getting no sleep the night before. As we recap UFC 271, we'll discuss what is next for who will be the UFC middleweight champion of the world, whether it be Israel, Adis-on-ya or Robert Whitaker. if Derek Lewis can bounce back in his hometown against the surging. Always fun. Tai Tuivasa. Jared Canaanier versus Derek Brunson.

Kyler Phillips versus Marcello Rojo. Nazrat Haqparas versus Bobby Green. That is your main card. That is a freaking awesome fight. And then, of course, there's some bangers on this card on the prelims as well. Alexander Hernandez versus Hantamuikano is on this card. Rookie of the year, Casey O'Neill. Casey O'Neill versus the final fight of Roxanne Mottifari's professional

career. The illustrious career of Roxanne Madafari. We might actually get it this time. We might actually see Alex Perez and Matchnell fight. They booked this fight 487 times and for some reason does not happen. And I really like this Ronnie Lawrence, Manna Martinez fight. Yeah. Super fun prospect battle at 135 pounds. This is all going down in Houston, Texas. Blood diamond. Blood diamond on this card. Carlos Ulberg is back against Fabio Chiront, William Knight, Maxim Grishin, Andrei Arlowski is fighting Jared Van dera on this card. Holy moly. And we will recap all this from a matchmaking perspective.

Live. Live with all of you. Mike, people are going to throw those comments in there. I normally do a very deep filtering process for my listener fix. I'll just be reading them off blindly off the YouTube comments. So if you guys pop into the YouTube, you could suggest Derek Lewis versus Seymour butts and I'll probably read it out loud.

I just won't be, you know, I just won't have time to filter it. So. We can pull them right up on. the screen. Pull it right up on the screen. You don't have to filter. I'll pull them up. I'll just fill them right up there.

This could be bad. This could be amazing. You're right. This will be amazing. It will be amazing. So that's going to happen next week. On onto the next one live. And then the podcast version will drop shortly thereafter.

So A.K., thank you for joining us once again. Thank you all for listening to the program. And always remember, don't take this stuff too seriously. MMA is supposed to be fun. We'll have more fun right here. Live. Next week on onto the next one. the podcast.