MMA Fighting - On To the Next One | Matches To Make After UFC Vegas 86

Episode Date: February 11, 2024

Jack Hermansson returned to the octagon for the first time in over a year and did so as a massive underdog against Joe Pyfer in the main event of UFC Vegas 86, but the wily veteran had other plans as Hermansson got back in the win column with a hard fought decision win. "The Joker" called out Nassourdine Imavov following the victory, but will that be direction the UFC goes? On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what could be next for Hermansson after his main event win. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Dan Ige following his nasty first-round knockout win over Andre Fili in the co-main event, along with fellow main card winners Ihor Potieria, Gregory Rodrigues, Michael Johnson, Rodolfo Vieira, and more. Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Support for this show comes from the Audible Original, the downloaded two. Ghosts in the Machine. The Earth only has a few days left. Rosco Cudullian and the rest of the Phoenix colony have to re-upload their minds into the quantum computer, but a new threat has arisen that could destroy their stored consciousness forever. Listen to Oscar winner Brendan Fraser reprise his role as Rosco Cudulian in this follow-up to the Audible Original Blockbuster. The Downloaded, it's a thought-provoking sci-fi journey where identity, memory, and morality collide. Robert J. Sawyer does it again with this much-anticipated sequel that leaves you asking,

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Yes, the matchmaking crowns are back on following just another thrilling, memorable, unforgettable apexe apex events. This one, UFC Vegas 86. Middleweights for the third event out of four this year

takes center stage this time. The Wiley veteran Jack the Joker Hermanson gets the job done. But who will he fight next? We'll find out what we think coming up in just a few moments, but I and Mike Hacken, joining me is always the co-host, the co-matchmaker, the Prince of Positivity, and my best friend, Mr. Alexander Cayley, aka, how are we doing following UFC Vegas 86?

Mike, my best friend, I have enjoyed the last two weeks of mediocrity because it has allowed us to speak on broader topics. If anyone has watched the post-fight shows, you know, we've got to talk about the cards as much we can. And then, you know, we've got those new super chats. There's always fiery super chat questions. And it seems to lead us down some very, you know, sometimes controversial, sometimes informative paths. And it's good. And I've got to spend more time with you and Casey and New York Rick. So I'm happy. I'm happy with how things have gone. And to be perfectly like fair, the last two cards, not memorable. Don't you're wrong? There's nothing really

that happened, I feel like on the last two cards that will necessarily be talking about at the end of the year. But that's pretty normal. I mean, something extraordinary has to happen on like a January, February fight night card for us to be talking about it in, you know, on our during your, our year-end stuff. So that's not like a particular indictment of these two cards. On paper, of course, pretty weak. And people buckle up because, again, this is the UFC in 2024. It's kind of the way the UFC was in 2023, at least far as fight nights go. So we kind of have to take them for what they are. Again, the cards weren't terrible. If anything, they probably performed a little better on paper,

maybe because some of our expectations were low. But yes, thank goodness we have a paper view coming up. And thank goodness we get to matchmake, Mike, because that always adds a little extra sizzle to these cards. I will agree with you. The last two post-fight shows, even though there's been so little to talk about, have been thrilling. And shout out to all of you guys for helping with that venture.

I will say 85 was terrible. It was a terrible card, really bad. This one, not terrible, better, but still not good, if that makes sense. But again, we've talked about this a million times. The UFC is never leaving the apex. In fact, they're probably going to go more this year because why wouldn't you? Why wouldn't you right now? You take all your time and energy and you put it towards the power slap events and then you just be like,

okay, there you go. We'll see you on Saturday for some fist fights that nobody's going to come. to except for Dr. Phil and about eight other people. So that's what we can expect. But luckily, we are on the road to UFC 298 and I couldn't be more excited. But before we head back on to the 298 highway, we have to do some matchmaking for UFC Vegas 86. Let's begin with the man who closed the show, Jack Hermanson, y'all must have forgot kind of performance, clearly loses the first two rounds. Seems like after round two heading into round three, the momentum is fully on the side of Jack Cermanston, and boy, there was just a snowball of momentum, turned into a giant snowman

towards the end of the fight, and Jack Cromanson gets it done. Hans Joe Piper, his first UFC lost and ends Mr. Piper's five-fight win streak. Called out Nassardine Imovov, who was victorious in last week's middleweighty main event. Are you going with that one, or are you going a different direction? I could. I could. I do remember last week for Imabob. I did say he sort of has to be, you know, part of this middleweight cluster we have a bit in the top 20, top 25, because, you know, a lot of them are books, a lot of their fights coming up.

I wanted to give him the April 6th main event winner, not Saturday's main event winner. So I still want him involved to fight Vittori or Brendan Allen. But I'll stick with the winner theme here. And I'll say Hermanson versus the Kayo, Bohalio and Polkig winner, UFC. 3.01 May 4th. Again, there's so many directions you can go, Hermanson. He's someone you can always put in there with someone in the top 10, top 15, just to, you know, keep guys busy, guys who might not necessarily be like one fight away from a title shot,

but, you know, you want to give them credible ranked opponents. Boom, slot Hermanson in there. You can give him kind of up-and-coming guys. And then, again, you can give him guys in the fringes of the top 15, which is where I think Kyle and Paul Craig are at this point. So, you know, nothing super sexy with these middleweight matchups right now. By the time the summer rolls around, we will have a better idea of what are the bigger middleweight matchups to make outside of the top five. But until then, these guys kind of kind of just keep mashing together until someone emerges from the ooze, the primordial ooze.

A metaphor got away from me. I tried, Mike. I tried. That's this card. That's these apex of it, it's duty. Yeah. I loved the Emovoff call out. I loved everything about it.

I also believe the UFC is going to do Emova versus Chris Curtis too, so I'm not changing my answer there. So now, again, kind of like you laid out, like who is he going to fight now? We can't go too far up the ladder and we can't get too far backwards. So once in a while, the MMA gods smile upon us with the matchmaking with perfect timing, as I like to say. Jackramansen comes off a nice win. and then the following week, to open up UFC 298, we have a banger between Anthony Fluffy Hernandez, who is already ranked at 185,

and Roman Coppulov, who could find himself ranked at 185 with the victory. Hermanson, the winner of that fight at UFC 298. That's what we do next day, okay? Yeah, we just got to wait. We just got to wait. Hermanson again, if he's ready to turn around soon, 2908 winner makes a lot of sense. He's a bit up there in age.

If he wants to wait, and again, he's got the winner of 301. There's just all kinds of middleweighty goodness for the man. Some people are now calling the middleweighty middleweight champion, which I think is somewhat fitting. He wasn't always this way. And again, he does have a bit of a high finish rate, which is, again, for me, usually excludes you from middleweighty middleweightness. But he does go to a lot of decisions, which are, which, you know, Saturdays was perfectly entertaining. It's not like it was a bad one. So he could be.

He could be. I don't know if I'm quite ready to crown him that yet. I really have never felt as strongly about it since Christoph Jocko parted ways of the UFC. That's like my middleweighty middleweight goat for life. But I should at some point pick a new, pick a successor. I just don't know if anyone has captured my heart yet in that regard. I mean, it's got to be Marvarton. Marvatori has to be the front runner.

Although I, he fought for a title too soon and he fought against a great, like his rivalry, he has like a notable quote notable rivalry like he's too he's almost he's done too many like actually headline worthy things but i agree his style his fighting style middleweighty midi middleweight all the way if arm and petrosian beat hit off oviara he would have been the absolute middle weighty middleweight champion because a win from petrogy in that fight it would have locked it up because it would not have been pretty it would have been as middle lady as you can get oh yeah but yeah i mean look middle lady We don't need to get into the middleweight debate.

I think it doesn't get enough credit. We joke around when fights are middle-wady, at 185, boy, are they? But they could be also a lot of fun. Really, we saw some other. Really, there were other divisions that were more middle-weighty on Saturday, frankly. Yeah. Yeah, we saw some other friends. Rightly was middle-weighty on Saturday.

That was crazy. That was a classic. If you had told me, if I did not know who either guy was somehow and you had told me there were middle-weets, I would have believed you 100%. Yeah, there's some really small middleweights, but yeah, the way they're fighting, I know middleweight when I see one. I had high hopes for Mark Andre Bechio. I thought if you'd beat Chris Curtis in like a listless 29, 28 split decision, that would have been a great statement, but he did not. He did not.

And one of many disappointments for Canadians on that evening. Oh, yeah, he's rising the ranks. Chris Curtis is in this conversation as well. Yeah, he hasn't finished anyone in a while, has it? Since Brandon Allen, I think, was the last time he got to. finish. Okay. He could be.

I like Chris. Is maybe, maybe the current middle lady, middleweight champ? Too many finishes, Mike. We don't need to get it. Too exciting. Too exciting.

But he's been so good since he beat Jock. Yeah, that's not. He's too good. He won the title. That's the problem. He's been too good. He needs to be more mediocre.

Ren and Al has not been mediocre enough. Not mediocre enough. So funny. Too good. So the theme of me picking the winners of Saturday against winners of future fights is going to be a pretty prominent. one. Oh. It's going to be a 50% or kind of thing. I know it's kind of lazy, but I actually think a lot of of this makes sense. So let's go into Dan Ege's next move, who just obliterates Andre Feely in a fight that

weren't really sure how it could go, but none of this was really surprising. Was Feely kind of set to go on that run that people expected him to go on years ago? Dan Egey says, nope, not going to happen. My wife's about to give birth. And you know what that means for Dan Ege's opponents when that happens, they usually get sent to the shadow realm, and that is what happened with 50K here. There is a fight coming up at a pretty historic event for the UFC. It's called UFC 300. It is Siddique Yusuf versus Diego Lopez. The winner of that fight takes on Dan Iege. Now, I will say this, the listener picks, I was going through them, pretty good, a little bit of doo-doo. and then the last fight that I saw

was like an excellent pick for Danny Gay and I was just like, damn, I kind of wish I thought about that one myself but I'm still happy with this one, A.K., the sneak Yusuf versus Diego Lopez winner. Yeah, you can't go wrong with that. I saw a lot of people sending in that pick, Lopez or Yusuf. It's the pick that you liked, the Arnold Allen? Correct.

Yeah, I landed on too. It's weird because if you had said this six months ago, we would have said, oh, Alan's like, you know, a notch above IGA and probably shouldn't fight anytime soon. But Alan, you know, taking a couple of losses, again, not, not, has not looks terrible. Just lost fights. Lost fights to good fighters that happens at featherweight when you get up there. So Arnold Allen still has all the makings of a future title challenger. Dan Igay, still a tough test for everyone. I think it's the right point. I think this is the right point. Danny Gay would definitely jump at this opportunity to take Arnold Allen's spot. I mean,

I did not have Danny Gay being a top six, top. seven featherweight on my 2024 bingo card. But if he gave Arnold Allen a tough fight and managed to snatch a win there, he'd be tough to, we'd have to rank him. We'd have to rank that E. And he'd deserve it because he's looked really good. So it was recent fights. Yeah, I like the Arnold L.

and pick. I was like, damn, that's like really good. Makes a ton of sense. Let's go to a guy who I didn't think, I mean, he's not officially a middleweight yet, but of all the at least scheduled middle-late fights, this guy was my least likely to be middle-weight. lady. Ihor Potiaria comes out and gets a decision win over Robert Bridecheck. I didn't think this fight was going to get out of the first round, certainly not out of the second round, but it went

the distance. He gets the win. He's being the duelist as he always is. He didn't really do a dance, but he had a lot of strong things to say. He says he's going to be the best middleweight in the world. He's going to be the middleweight champion. I don't know if that's the case, but let's just say, let's just go with this self-belief, A.K., what is next for Potia area on his road to middleweight championship greatness? I mean, I'm not put him anywhere near that road. I went with a super mediocre pick. This fight probably shouldn't have been on the main card.

I assume it was, and it was also the matchmakers did a good job of finding a replacement. because I think Robert Precheck had like two opponents schedule before they had to land on Potaria. I think there was some visa issues with one of them. And I'm not sure what the other withdrawal was four. So let me just double check that real quick. Right. So I know I'm not talking out of my butt. Sorry, just one of point.

Right, right. So it's supposed to be Derayev and Recheck and then Poetria steps in. Very short notice. And my mind, I was like, why are they before I remember who Recheck was? I was like, why are they trying so hard to keep this fight on? And I think they saw a lot in Brecheck. I certainly do. Exciting guy.

And yeah, he got diffused. So I don't think the matchmaking is expected this. Like you said, Mike, we didn't expect to be matchmaking for Ehor Portaria. And here we are. So I just went around where he's ranked. Did not go anywhere near the top 40, I don't think. And I think we're just going to see Ehorpe Porteria and Dark Throw, AJ Dawson. Is AJ booked?

I hope not. I have to look this up. I swear I'll look it off right now. I swear I checked this because I would not randomly. Yes, he's not. Oh, he was supposed to fight. He was supposed to fight Tray Shanko. That's right.

Yeah, that's right. Yeah, that's right. So he's free now. There you go. That's right. That's right. That's right. I want to do AGA favor.

That's right. I want to get AJ in there. Yeah. He's not getting near the title conversation right now. Like, how high did you go? How high in the middleweight rankings did you go? Like on my rankings, probably like five spots higher. Okay.

But still, there's no way this fight stinks. There's no way this fight stinks. This matchmaking right here is why I revere middleweight so much in 2024 because there's no way this fight stinks. We got two guys for the most part who are get or get or get God. One is a surgeon get or get God All-Star. One is a perennial get-or-get-God All-Star. It's Ehor Potiaria versus Julian Marquez.

Someone's going to sleep. It's going to be insane. Weird things are going to happen. Weird things are going to be said. Weird dances are going to be had. It's just going to be entertainment to the nines. Let's go. I am.

What is your faith in Futaria being a action fighter? He was fine. The fight, like, one of the best fights. He had like a top 10 fight of the year last year. Remind me. He lost. This is where I'm in my put to re-offending. This is that Austin card.

Oh, what's this? It's this, Bolato? Yeah. I mean, it's a, it was a fight of the year, but I remember who he fought. Yeah. But, uh, listen, I don't remember the fight at all, apparently, so I. Duffel Blato. But look, he gets her, he gets, just look at, look at his UFC run.

Look at this guy. Okay. Contender series, first round knockout. Okay. UFC debut. Gets finished by Nikolai Negamarianu. Where's he? Yeah.

Where's Nico? Then he knocks up Maricio Shogun-Hua, and I think there's just a little bit of saltiness with that. That might be it. I might be too hung up on that regrettable matchmaking. Then he, UFC Charlotte guts run by Carlos Ulberg in violent fashion. That he has a fight of the year contender against Hidalphal Balato. And he just had one stinker. This is the bad one.

And I don't even think it's his fault. And it wasn't even like, it was at least like funny bad. He throws in the sweet, you know, there's like, well, it has a memorable. Like, it's weird. I'm going to remember, it's so funny. I'm going to remember that bizarre sweep more than the Balato fight, apparently, maybe because I just saw it. But he's a character.

Like, he is a character. And you're right. You know, you do point some good evidence. There's a lot, a lot of unders there. A lot of unders, under 1.5s there. I don't know. I don't know why I'm being so skeptical. You know, we'll do, you and I should do a guest spot on No Bet's Bard when he gets

focused against Julian Marquez. And then we'll just have that one segment, you and I pop in and be like, here's why I'm going over and here's why I'm going under. Oh, dude. It's going to be so under. So under. I don't know. I don't trust this guy yet.

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We're not done. We're not done with middle eight division. Gregory Rodriguez, Robocop, bounces back in a big way. Brad Tavaris, a very tough guy to get out of there. And he just kind of beat the soul out of Brad Taviris and eventually got him out of there. There's a lot of fun matchups for Robocop. What did you pick for one Gregor Rodriguez, AK? I think, I don't know if I'd use rankings math here to figure this.

Because like you said, there was a lot of directions to go. I think I want with someone who is ranked slightly, I have ranked slightly above him. I'm going to go with Bruno Silva after he retires Chris Wyden at UFC Atlantic City on March 30th. I do think Bruno wins that fight. I think he'll be ready to fight in the summer. And I hope Robocop is his dance partner.

I think that could be a lot of fun. That's just nothing wrong with that. I, as everybody knows, I'm extremely high on this individual that I'm going to pair up with one Gregor Rodriguez. I mean, so incredibly high on this guy. I think this guy is going to fight for a title at 185 pounds. The problem is he just can't get in the freaking cage and it drives the insane.

And he's had opportunities. They're putting him in like big spots super quickly and just for some reason, like we just can't get him in there. So he's probably going to have to return inside the world's most famous apex to fight Gregor Rodriguez. His name is Icaram Alaskarov. There's just that fight is incredibly fun. Very intriguing.

I think questions we would have about Icariff are going to be answered in that fight. So I'd love to give Alaskarv like a ranked dude, like a top 10 guy. I'd be fine with that. But his just inability to compete at this moment is a little bit frustrating. And I understand why people react the way they are reacting to this. So yeah, you kind of have to fight Gregor Rodriguez now. Not a good consolation prize, but I still think a fight that Icrum Alaskariff can win, but he's going to get tested for sure. Yeah, that's the time, man, that's not an easy fight for Robocop.

Wait, if Robocop won that one, big featherness cap, big featherness cap, again, it would have us kind of reevaluating where maybe the ceiling for a for Robocop. But, yeah, I think be a pretty healthy favorite there. Yeah, I'm intrigued. I am intrigued. I hope I'm just, I hope he fights twice in 2024, Mike. Is that a lot to ask for? Is that too? I'm like, aiming too high.

Should we go for one? Just one, I'm in agreement. Oh, we need two out of him, man. I hope so. Like, this is a huge year for him. He needs to fight. He needs to be out there. He needs to be out there in front of the peeps, but yeah, just can't do it.

But by the end of the year, I hope we're talking about him as like either in the top 15 or like, you know, you and I are doing an auto show in like October and November saying, oh, his next, you know, his first fight at 2024 is going to be against like a top 10 guy. Like, I hope that's where we are. So fingers crossed that. I think I have him like 11 or 12 in our rankings already. He's very good. He's very good.

Michael Johnson, the man just keeps going. Doesn't stop moving. Keeps picking up victories. And he gets another one at UFC Vegas 86. Where does the Wiley veteran Michael Johnson go? I have a thought. His name is Terrence McKinney, AK. Michael Johnson versus Terrence McKinney.

This was like the most popular pick. I saw in the listener suggestions. Am I missing? Is there a connection here? Is there a reason? Is there a heat there? Do they have a history? No, it's just the right fight.

It's just the right time for both guys? Yeah. Yeah, everyone, I guess everyone, I don't know. I'm not against it. It's a great fight. When I saw it, I was like, oh, yeah. I was like, yeah, that's why wouldn't Michael Johnson fight Terrence Guinea? Why wouldn't Terrence Kinney fight Michael Johnson?

But I was just surprised that so many people were on the same page. I think, I think it's, I'm trying to think what other Michael Johnson picks I saw almost almost everyone who sent in said Bill Johnson and and Terrence McKinney. So I hope Terrence McKinney, he's pretty, he's pretty online, he's pretty in tune with where the amendment community's at. I'm a wonder, I didn't check his social media last night, but I wonder if he's called for a fight with Michael Johnson or will sometime this week because there seems to be a demand for it.

Yeah. What do you like for Michael Johnson? I, I've reached a little bit into the bag here and said, let's go with some sort of storyline. put a bow on something. I said, what about a Tony Ferguson rematch? What about a Tony Ferguson rematch at this point in their careers? I mean, I know Tony's on a rough losing streak. He probably would not be favored against Michael Johnson.

I think Michael, I shouldn't say, I think. Michael Johnson beat him the first time. And this is when Tony was not like super hot yet. He was coming off of the fighter win. I think people kind of knew Tony was going to be something. And, you know, he took a loss time Michael Johnson. There's no shame in that he's one of the several names when we recite to Michael Johnson's resume, we go, oh my gosh, can you believe Michael Johnson is beaten

this guy, this guy, this guy, this guy, this guy, this guy, this guy, this guy, and Tony Ferguson, a near prime Tony Berkson is right in there. So this might happen 11, 12 years ago. I don't think it's a bad time to revisit it. It does feel like a fight Tony wouldn't really be interested in, even though it's a chance to get back a loss, but I've got a weird feeling. I've got a weird feeling this could be, this could be in the worst. And I like, I like the idea of rematching fighters who have been with the UFC for like seven, eight, ten years, and just getting them a chance to clash again,

see how different it is, and to revisit sort of their resumes and their first fight. So it would be cool. I think it would be a cool thing to do. I wouldn't want that to be like, oh, it's like a loser-release town thing for Tony. So maybe that's why that matchup won't happen. But I think there's a lot of ways to make this happen

and haven't made sense. That was a popular pick that I saw as well outside of Terrence McKinney. So, yeah, I'm fine with that. If that's the direction they go, that's the direction they go. I won't be the saddest person in the world seeing a Tony Ferguson poster with another fighter next to him. There you go. Back to middleweight, AK. Just a short break from the 185 pound division.

Hadoffo Vieira did Hidalpha Vieira things. First round submission against Armand Petrosian. Middleweighty, middleweight, at least no more for now. And again, I'll just make this easy. We're going back to the winner of this matchup. This is what we're going to do. Adolfo Vieira versus the winner of the scheduled bout between Gerald Beerschart and Brian Barberina. Oh.

Oh. Yeah, I thought about him and Gerald win loser draw. Brian Barberina would also make a lot of sense. I'm fine with that. I feel like Adolfo would be so much bigger than Brian Barbarina. But I guess Brian is making a proper move to middleweight. And by that, I mean, he's just probably stopped. cutting, even remotely cutting weight and it's just, you know, going in there bulked up as God,

as God created him. I, yeah, I like that. There's a lot of ways you can go with Hidalphal. I am so grateful to him for proving me wrong because I was just, you know, I said this is, this could easily end up. He can't take him down and Armin can't really do anything to him on the feet. And it's just, you know, 15 minutes of horrible striking. But we got beautiful Hidalphal Vaya Jiu-Jitsu, and it was very exciting to watch.

So I kind of want to keep that theme, put him in there with another striker, but one that's very likely to finish him. This stays on the feed. Bruno Fajeda, I like Bruno Faheda, one of the sluggers of 185. My second Brazilian versus Brazilian fight of this matchmaking big of the show. I'm not sure what's going on with me. But yeah, I like the idea. I think if Vianna gets to the ground, Bruno's toast,

I think this stays in the feet for more than three minutes. I think he'll put Hadoffo Veda's lights out. So strike a versus Grappler, keep those going. That's all I want. I don't care about moving bad up the rankings. If he accidentally falls fast-acwards into a top-fifteen spot, great. For now, just give me more guys that he can potentially take down and take a limb or take their necks. One of my favorite guys to watch when the fight, under the right circumstances.

Yeah. The way you book Vieira is you put him in a situation where the fight's not going to the cards. Either he gets a submission or he gets docked out. Like that's how you book it off of Vera. Chris Curtis was the worst matchup for him. And it's fine. Like I understand why they booked that fight. It's just kind of rankings-wise.

It made a lot of sense for both guys. But like it turned out exactly as you thought, which is Chris Curtis never gets submitted. His grappling defense is very strong. And he just picked Hadofo apart for Ravir. It was the most predictable outcome of the year, one of the most predictable outcomes. Was Vier like over 27 and take one of them? Something like that. I don't even know if I'm exaggerating.

Yeah, I know. I don't think you want. Because I was like, Chris Curtis does not get submitted. He does not get taken down. He does not get submitted. That's just his story of his career. So I was like, this is not good for Hadovo. This is the worst matchup room.

And I thought Armand was going to be like a less interesting repeat of that, but happy to be wrong, Mike. Yes, I think we're all happy to be wrong there. Let's go to the wild card selection. We will select one fighter. We have not match bait for yet. It will matchmate for them right now. AK, who got the all-important wild card spot for you?

I'm assuming we both picked the same guy, Mike. We had to pick the wild card of the night, Bogdan Goosegov, right? I knew you were going to do that. Yeah. So I did not. Oh, I thought we're trying to have a manufacturer of Friends Forever Wildcard moment here. Yeah, I said on the post-fight show and I didn't change. I woke up in the morning, didn't change my mind, happy with the selection.

Yuan Kutalaba. I think Yuan is fighting, where did I put it? He's fighting Philippe Lins, Philippe Lins, UFC 299. A matchup, by the way, already chaotic. If that fight could get canceled, rebooked and canceled again and you would not suffer. I don't know why someone in the matchmaking suite has a sense of humor when it comes so you on Kutalaba and says, how can I match him up with other wacky people who are like known for fight cancellations and weird post moments and postponement and just odd stuff happening in their

fighting careers? So Kutalabalabalinds already fits the bill. Beautiful. Let's get more crazy. And then whether I don't care the results of that fight, Kutalava, Goose Gob, feels like something super dumb is going to happen. And that's all I want to see at light heavy way right now. I went with, in my opinion, the low-key MVP of UFC Vegas 86, a guy who, delivered such a performance, but when it comes to actually talking points on this card, he seems to be at the complete bottom. Hyder Amil is just,

this guy is a savage. And his reputation, I mean, just, that's how he fights. What you saw on Saturday is how he fought, how he usually fights. Gets on the Contender Series, he wins a pretty convincing fight,

but it wasn't like anything to write home about, ends up getting into the UFC, and then fights for Rody Garcy. who is, was just the perfect guy for him to debut against. Because Emil's just a tank. He's just an absolute tank. So I think I've come up with the right fight for Hyder Emile. You come in there, they try to book you a few different times.

You get Fernie Garcia, you get a get a guy. Let's get him another get or get a got guy. And yet a guy who just has been doing the getting more than getting, doing the gotten. Steve Garcia, Hyder Emile versus Steve Garcia. Just, I mean, come on. on now. That is a pay-per-view prelim fight. That is a main card apexe fight. Wherever you want to slot it, there's no chance. That isn't really fun to watch. The Garcia Hunter, Hyder Emile, I see what you're doing there. I like it. I like the, okay, it's a good gimmick. It's a good gimmick.

And I agree. Fireworks. Let's let's invest in this Hyder Amiel character. I think they have something there. Like, I should have saved this for the post-fight show because, you know, that's like after dark. That's when we let our freak flags fly a little bit. I don't, we don't like to objectify fighters. I think that's, you know, we're not here for. Hyder Meal's a handsome man.

This is a, this is a sharp looking handsome guy. I mean, I was not, you know me, I don't keep up with the contender series that much, was not familiar with him. Obviously learned a bit more weeks leading up to this fight, doing some research. UFC could have something with this guy. If they push him carefully, this is a guy you put on posters. You put him on posters

and you have a casual audience going like, That's a confident, good-looking man. I want to see him punch someone else in the face. And like I said, got the fighting style to back it up. So I hope he gets the Drew Dober treatment. We talk about Drew Dober and that glorious chin all the time. Hopefully, Hydromyel's cheekbones and the general facial structure get the same treatment on social media. And we can all agree this is a handsome guy and talk about it without feeling, you know, uncomfortable.

Got that sort of Stockton swag to him. Boy, there's something here. I know he's not like a super young guy. but I think he's young in MMA years, right? I'm trying to see he turned pro. What was his first fight? He is. So he's young in MMA years.

Yeah, not a lot of mileage. So, hey, UFC, do something with this guy. He's got the look, it's got the style. Like Mike's, you just said, it's got the swagger. He's 33. 33. Nothing wrong with that. 33 years young.

33 years young. He's fought everywhere. 3 and O in Bellator, 3 and O in LFA. But yeah, do something with this guy. I think he got something here. I know he's not like, he has like, he's obviously much older than Alexander Hernandez was when he got into the UFC, but he has like some of that to him where like you could kind of treat Hyder Emile

how you probably should have developed Alexander Hernandez, where you just, you bring him up the normal way as opposed to like, Alex, welcome to the UFC, you're fighting Benal Darius on five days notice. And if you win, you're going to be a ranked lightweight at 25 years old. So there's some fun fights for him.

He's just, he looked so good. and we'll see what happens. Do we have any... We'll keep the year frontrunner right now, I think. Rookie of your front runner, right? I mean, I know it's early,

but if he gets in there three times, puts on three impressive performances, Hyder. Hyder could be on the list. Top five. I don't know. Carlos Pratches might have that with that. That was good.

That was pretty nasty. That was good. All right. Anybody claiming Otno points, or you want to just get right into the disclaimer? I guess we'd get into it. I saw no one, no questions outside of the norm.

I did not see anyone poking me for points. That's not. I don't want to. I don't know why I do these things. Mike, take that out in post. Yeah, no, I didn't have anyone reminding me about picks. So people, hey, listen, I keep telling you, if you want your points, just tell me, because my memory is not what it was. I do keep a document, but, like, there's some holes here and there, and I don't remember everything.

I don't take note of everything. So, yeah, let me know. I will double check if I can, and then you'll get your point. Defenders and cybersecurity are always there when we need them. They should get a parade every time they block a novel threat. and have streets, sandwiches, and babies named in their honor. But most of all, they deserve AI cybersecurity that can stop novel threats before they become breaches across email, clouds, networks, and more.

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Investing involves risk, performance not guaranteed. Yeah, listen, at this point, with the show and where it's gone, if you're going to get auto plates, like, you have to pick, like, an early prelim guy, who only has, like, one you have to get certified. It's true. You have to nail it. Because even then, those are hard, those are hard points to come by. So let's get into this thing, AK, we have a first timer right off the best.

I love him this has. Caleb, tagging in. Hey Mike, long time Otno listener, but it's my first time submitting picks. He likes Hermantso versus Imovov, Joe Pfeiffer versus Mark Andre Barrio, Dan Igay versus the Sudique Yusuf, Diego Lopez winner, Fiera versus Bunez, AK.

Do you like this idea? Again, that though is the kind of fight I worry will become the grappling, neutralizing each other, and then we have to see the striking, and I'm not particularly interested in either guy's striking. I understand the the thought process behind it, but

it's something I thought about and then dismissed. Did not. Not my favorite. Michael Johnson versus Terrence McKinney, big surprise there, very popular pick. A little bit doo-doo here, but it's the first time, so I'm going to be a little bit nicer. He picked Robocop versus Roman Coppulov,

but maybe, you know, just for the future, checking a win or lose. Mike, Caleb, did you see, Caleb, did he send you another message? No. Okay. He sent to me as well, and he corrected himself. He said, Koppelov, win or lose, don't want any doo-do.

So Caleb, note to Caleb, though, if you're going to send to both of us, you've got to send the correction to both of us as well, because it could be Mike Reads it, and you didn't send him the correction, and then you're stuck in do-do. Yeah, yeah, you got to. So he did correct himself, but just for the future, Caleb, you know, listen, you got to tell both of us. You got to tell both of us.

You got to send the both. Not bad. Not bad. He's good. Pretty, pretty good. Pretty, pretty good. Max Griffin versus Mike Belot was the other one. Of course, Max Griffin will see if he resigns to the UFC.

That was the last fight on his deal. And, well, it's not one more. We're probably going to go back and watch again. Four corner sports. Jack Hermanson versus Roman DeLise II. Book it for when they go overseas. Don't care if it's in Paris or London. Is the world ready for Hermanson DeLise 2, AK?

Didn't someone last week? I mean, I think someone last week, oh, someone who told me they were at the fight. I remember one of our listeners told me after they were actually at the fight and they booked, they booked this fight, did not put a tube next to it. And then after they heard us on the show kind of admonished them, they said, I was, they were like, I was there. I don't know how I didn't remember that. No, it's still too soon. I know, it's still too soon.

Why are we so eager to get them to fight again? It's 15 months ago. It was not like, 15 months ago. And again, for Hermanson, one fight ago. One fight ago. It's not like he's fought. If he fought like three times in that 15 months and him and DeLitse were like trending in the same direction, I'd be like, okay, yes, fine. But why so soon?

No, that's not. There's other options if you want an overseas opponent for Hermanson. No. Thank you. Danny Yee versus Diego Lopez if he beats Sudakuse of UFC 300 or booking of Gigacchiccac. Michael Johnson versus Jim Miller, regardless of the outcome of Miller versus Green at UFC 300, Daniel Marcos versus Cody Stamen. Joe Pfeiffer versus Gregory Rodriguez. Do you like this matchmaking?

I don't mind it. I don't mind it at all. I don't mind it. I think it was one of the most obvious matchups to make after, and if it happened, I got no problem with it. Again, Joe Pfeiffer, I still think has the look of a top 25 guy right now. People keep just need to remember he won those first two rounds with Hermantson. Clearly won the first two rounds.

And he just got outlasted in a way that we expected because this guy had not gone five rounds before. It happens. So he won the first two rounds. He did not look like a guy who couldn't hang with the top. 15 guy. And Rodriguez would be a considerable step back, I think, from Hermanson. And that's fine. And let's get a better test.

I would pick Pfefer to win that fight, probably. But either way, hey, maybe you have something in Robocop 2. And, you know, U.S. you should be happy with whoever comes out on top there. Let's go to Harry. Marcos versus himself. He turned down the fight in Brazil because Hugo missed weight, had a fight get canceled, and then had this fight end in a no contest, just horrible luck. A male versus Jekka Sadigy,

Guskov versus Daun Jung, Griffin versus Ponziubio, but maybe he doesn't get resigned. Prachneo versus Dustin Jacoby. I feel like we've seen that fight, but I looked it up, we have not seen that fight. I would remember that.

I would remember that. I don't know. Oki versus Markell Medeiros, Pratchez versus Jared Gooden. Another Vieer versus Andrumini's, guys. I'm stunned by this. MJ versus Vince Pichel, Robobama versus Chris Curtis, L dualist versus Abus Makaedov.

This is an apex. This is like UFC Vegas 91 right here. I was going to say the booking people, we need to, I know people are going for points, and we encourage crystal ball picking as much as magic wand picking. I think we need a little more magic wand picking. We have, we have gotten to the point, yes, where the, the, the, the, the, our listener match are like a launch too firmly along the same guidelines as John Shelby and McMaynor. Like they're too in tune.

They're too knowledgeable now because yeah, they're picking, but you're right. This could be, they've just booked fights for like three apex cards here. Like this is impressive almost. For sure. This is the next year's Super Bowl weekend card. Ege versus Giga if Murphy doesn't heal up.

Jack wants Emova, but I feel like the copulaf Hernandez winner is more likely. There you go. The Vita Munis thing, I think people have this image that is going to be this. amazing, like, jujitsu battle. And I'm like, if you want to see that,

maybe just go watch them grapple a jiu-jitsu someday, which I'm sure could happen. But again, in an MMA fight, I don't think you're getting like a lot of like thrilling scrambles and like,

you know, tight submission attempts. I think it's really going to be a stalemate of styles. But hey, I said the same thing about the arm projohn fight, and I was way off.

So maybe people are right. Maybe Mnish should fight, uh, adult. That's just, that's just a weird fight. That might, that would end up probably being

for the middle weighty, middleweight title because how that would all work. John Ray, Griffin versus Gooden, LeBoonie versus Jillian Robertson? I like that idea. I saw that. That was really smart. I saw that pick a few times and I'm like,

you know what? I had not thought of that. Looks like UFC 301's going to build up. A lot of people on your wavelength, AK, just Brazil versus Brazil, Vieira versus Ferrara, Johnson versus Ferguson 2, Rodriguez versus the Silva-Widman winner,

Potiaira versus Petrosian? Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no, no. This is not what you do after that. Before that pick. Before that pick, who was? Who was, who's this? Who's this?

This is John Ray. Oh, John Ray. We were viving before that, uh, what's here we? Uh, please, God, no. Another EG. She gave her Stikaze. I'm going to ask you for ruling here, okay? Joe Pfeiffer versus the Jacob Malcun versus Andrei Petrosky winner.

This has to be do-do, okay. You got to warn me when you're mentioning Jacob Malkoon because I told you, I black out whenever this fighter's name is mentioned because I can not. I literally cannot remember any of his fights or if he's book, please repeat that sentence again. This has to be Dudo. Uh-huh. It has to be. What was, what was it? Mike, I literally black out.

Malkoon versus Andre Petrosky. Malcoon. Joe Pfe and Andre Matroski fight each other every day, like literally every single day. Oh, okay, okay. Joe Piper had a viral clip during his media day mentioning how people viewed Andre Petrosky after he stepped in short notice in Lasna Bachel Pereira. I don't know. Like, there has to be a limit here.

Come on. Like, if you have a vibe, clip that, like, is viral mentioning a teammate, like, does that qualify as, like, automatic, at least do? Yeah. No, it's, that's a do-do. Okay, fair.

Thank you. Thank you. I think it has to be due, but it's all right, John Ray. We can always improve. Left Light M.A. Hermanza versus Emovoff. But if Rob Whitaker loses, you could do that. Hermanson versus Robert Whitaker.

If you lose to Paula Costa, I don't hate that. I don't love it, but I don't hate it. Piper versus Tavares, I actually like this one better than the Rodriguez fight. I feel like Rodriguez is really risky for what you're trying to do with Joe Piper. But Tavares is a good one. Fili versus Tucker, the battle of the 37 weeks expecting Ege victims. That's a real thing. It's a real thing.

How do you hashtag that one? work on it. Robocoff versus Chris Curtis in Brazil. Dueless versus Stoltzvist. Now that's what I'm talking about. That is, that's exactly what you do. Matchmaking like that. Someone getting gotten that one. There's no doubt

about it. Vieira versus Craig win or lose against Kyle Barallio. I like that. Prochus versus Urbina, take it slow. Pratch is still super green. Goosecoff versus Modestis Bukoscus, AK. You like this?

I saw this. I also got this message from Lech Lane. Michael, he called him, be correct, he called him Bogdathy Souskov. Okay, his correct hybrid Anthony Smith name, Bogdhati. I would probably go Smooskov or smugus. I think I got the M in there, but yes, Bogdithi, Bogdhdi Skuskav versus Modestis. Modestis Bokoskis. Good match, mate.

Hyder Meal steps in to fight Morgan Chariere, but get that out of the apex and put it in front of a crowd. Robbie Ryan takes us home here, at least my husband. Sorry, I want to comment on that quick. Because, yeah, Sherrier was supposed to fight Sung Wu Choi. And I think over the weekend, Cherrier tweeted that Choi is out for some reason. So I don't know if we haven't confirmed it, I don't think. But Cherrier did say that fight is not going to happen as booked. So, yeah, I don't mind Hyder Meal stepping in there.

But that's a pretty big step up, don't you think? I mean, we have said that Hyder's six years, six or seven years of experience are pretty, like, comprehensive compared to other fighters. considering the organizations he's fought for, but that feels like a step up, like a considerable step up, from Fernie Garcia, especially. From Fernie, though, from Fernie? Well, from Fernie, yeah.

Yeah, to Morgan, yeah, I don't know. I don't know. I would advise him not to do that. If I'm his team and the UFC calls with the short notice opportunity, I would say don't do it. Yeah, we'll see. I mean, he's 33.

I mean, he's a freakish 33, but I don't know. We'll see what happens. I think that's a fight we'll get in the future, but not now. And Robbie Ryan closes us out. Let's get a note for UFC, Vegas 86, or whatever. Was not overly impressed with Embovoff last week. I was very impressed with Robocop this week, despite the difference in rankings.

Let's see this fight. Emobovov versus Robocop. Don't hate it. Michael Johnson versus Jared Gordon. Dan Igay versus Arnold Allen. I was like, damn, that's a really good pick. I'm torn on this one, A.K. I'm torn on this one.

Ehor Potiaria versus Mark Andre Barrio. If that's on a main card, I swear to God, I am... I'm out, Mike. MAB versus MAB. He was on two main cards, does he not? Who, MAB? Was the Chris Curtis fight on the main card?

I mean, MAB, I don't mind, because he had to be on the main card. Yeah, it was on the main card. It was his fight with Eric Anders was on a main card. That was actually a fun fight. I thought that was going to be incredibly middleweighty and that would end up be really fun. Eric Andrews has been on an inordinate amount of main cards and he took Mark Andre, I think if I look at Mark Andre's

history, I'm pretty sure he's been featured on the main card more often than not. I think so. I think so. Poteeria versus MAB. You like this one? Do you think this could put butts in seats? You know, maybe I have no feel for the middleweight division.

Because again, I thought Robert Precheck is going to smoke Ehor instead we got again the dullest of the middleweight contest on Saturday I thought Vietta Petrocheon was going to be a stinker but turned out fine I thought Piper was going to knock out Jackramansen instead we got a really good five-rounder what was the other one oh Greg Rodriguez Tavares I thought we were ahead to Splitty City but uh Greg Robocop taking care of business so I had no feel for any of Saturday's middleweight fights so hey maybe I'm wrong maybe a fine maybe Moonies and Hodel Veyedo would be like a banger you know I don't know maybe I have no feel for this division right now

Where do the peeps telling you? Oh, okay. Let's see. So I don't want to overlap. Because, yes, I said, I got Caleb, too. Let's go with Instagram. Paxton Rembis. He says, tight turnaround.

Can we get Jim freaking Miller versus Michael Johnson at USD 300? No, we can't, Paxton. Come on. Jim Miller's fighting Bobby Green. Come on. Come on. If you had told me, like, oh, I'd rather see, you know, him fight Michael Johnson, forget the Bobby Green fight, just grab it or something.

I'd like, okay, that's weird, but I think. I hope you know what Jim Miller is. already booked for USC the 100. I really hope that you know that. What is happening here? I don't know. Chris Carey Media. Some of the ones you already read, down with Potaria Marquez. There you go. Michael Johnson and Nerulo Aliev. That's not bad. And you read this one already. Let's go to CV. CV, anything new here. Pfeiffer versus Wyphor versus Wyden, Bruno Silva, loser. Piper versus Wyden

Bruno Silva loser I like the Bruno Silva part I don't think I want to see Though he is very raw raw RWA guy So like that'd be like All-American Joe Piper versus all-American

Chris Wythman If that happened That's kind of interesting The UFC would absolutely make that fight They would wouldn't they 1,000% They would wouldn't they Uh

Gerard Biagan Let's see anything we haven't seen here before Jackramants and Andreemonee's Five rounds Middleweight middleweight title fight I don't know I don't know. I'd call it quite yet. Gregory Rodriguez, Ikemael Scaroff. There you go. Great pick. People love it.

And Michael Johnson. Michael Johnson versus Terrence McKinney, they are basically an older and younger version of themselves respectively. I don't think I'd compare that. I think the careers are so different. I don't know. I don't know if I'd go that route. I kind of see that the thinking behind it, I guess. I don't know if I would compare it. But hey, if six or seven years from now, McKinney's still in there and pot up fights like Michael Johnson, maybe their careers will look more similar than I think. Tristan Gordette on email, Amil versus Doho Choi. That'd be interesting.

Maybe not yet. I think we're one away from digging up a former prospect, now veteran. I think Amil would keep him sort of in the similar experience range for now. Michael Johnson, Gurdum Kutatsi, and Hidalpho and Eric Anders. Jay Donagy, Hermanson, Vittori, too, if he loses to Brendan Al. Mike, any interest in that? Sure. I had to read it because I like that.

Jay, one, remembered it would be a rematch. Two, remember that Marvin's books. This is proper matchmaking here. I like this a lot. Joe Pfeiffer and Abis, Abis Megamato. That's good. I like that. I like that.

Because Abis, again, is a kind of guy who, like, after his debut, I think people got a little bit weird with how, like, how high they thought he could go. And, you know, again, let's recalibur with Abis. Let's see where he is. Win over Joe Piper would be huge for him. Even a loss wouldn't be crazy, though. Might send him out to, might not get him a new contract. Rodriguez Fluffy after Fluffy loses your boy, Roman Koppelov.

Let's see what you're going to see. Some we've already seen. Let's go to Twitter real quick then. TAC MMA. Hermanson versus Imov. Ige versus Barbosa did not mention that it was a rematch. Heck, we don't like that around here. I guess these

Do-doo Oh, sorry I did get a lot of you gave us what it was but most people remember to put a two on there and it's a rematch and attack MMA come on it's a pretty good fight too Very close, very close fine

Potaria, Dariyev Hadolfo Vietta versus Phil Haas a couple of things here Haas might be released we did not get that confirmed yet but it did pop up on the roster watch, U.S.Roster watch so attack MMA follow that account

if you're not following that already And if he is still with the O.C. It's kind of not like a crazy matchup. Because our whole thing with Phil Haas is he can't take a punch, right? So maybe his wrestling and grappling, which he's actually very, very good at would be a challenge for Hidalpho? I don't know. Mike Hadoffo and Phil Haas, is that plausible? I mean, that is just good middle-laid action right there.

I think so. Someone's getting finished in that fight. I think so. I think so, right? Either Phil Haas is smoking him or. Beeras becoming just a second guy to submit. Matt Canadae, going the opposite with the Hernandez-Coppel-off thing, Pfeiffer versus Hernandez, and he thinks Fluffy will beat Coppel-Oves.

And just throws on a Bo-Nickel pick. Bo-Nickle versus insert-random 185 winner from tonight on UFC, and then we book that for UFC 305. I assume after Bo, of course, is done with Cody Brundage. Mike, let's say Bo did beat Cody Brendidge, and you had to match him up with one of the middleweights from Saturday, who would be your pick of this, this plunge here? Let's say he runs through Brundagen around. First round of it.

I'd probably give him, I'd probably give him like Petrosian. Oh, interesting. I didn't think you're going to go that way. He's in no rush, man. Like, there's no need to rush him right now. I wouldn't throw him in there with like Pfeiffer. I wouldn't throw him in there with Greg Rodriguez. Brad Tavares, though?

Brad Tavares, no, another win. Give him another win. He's literally beaten. And look, I like, I actually, I like Cody Brandage a lot. I enjoyed watching him fight on the Michigan regional scene. Dude was in, like, just sluggers all the time. Bo Nichl, if he beats Cody Brandage, he is going to have wins over three of, like, the 10 lowest ranked middleweights in the UFC. Like, to go from Cody Brundage to like a top 20 guy, I mean, that is a leap and a half.

So I think his build's going to be a little slower, honestly. I don't know if he's going to be like a ranked dude this year. I don't know. I just don't know if he's going to get the fights. Yeah, that's one of the stories to watch this year for sure. I mean, he was one of the stories to watch last year, Bonickle. And now, he's really intrigued. Definitely, definitely one of the points for sure in your favor of what makes 185 so, you know, so compelling right now is, man, what are they going to do with Bo Nicol? How fast they push one? How good is Bo Nicol? Who can he be? Yeah, I like that. But I like the idea of maybe, I don't know, some, yeah, maybe no one from Saturday. Maybe no one from Saturday really makes sense. Okay, and last one, Barry O'Reilly, Heidi O'Reilly, versus Luis Saladania. He just wants to know, where has Saladanya been? It's a good question. He hasn't fought since a draw, giving a draw, August 2022.

Gooscov, Kennedy, and Zichukwu. That's a tough one. Very exciting. It's a tough fight, man. I like that matchmaking because of Goosekopf doesn't get Kennedy out of there in like three minutes. He's going to lose that fight, like badly. So that's the thing about Goosekhov. Like that's literally his game.

He's a one round fighter if there ever was one. You get him out of round one. You're probably going to win. So, and Kennedy's a pretty durable cat who. gets better as the fight goes on. Mike, let me make a promise to America right now. I promise that I will probably forget by Thursday. If Bogdan Goosekov wins going forward and is not on the main card,

he will be my wild card pick every time. I make this vow now. He is the wild card of the Light Heavyweight Division. Maybe the wild card of the top five wildcards in the UFC right now. I think he's going to be so unpredictable. I hope he fights in the UFC at least 16 times. And I'm telling you, every time he steps in there, you're not going to know, is he about to gank the other guy in two minutes

and have a fun post-fight speech? Is he about to fight to a terrible, unlikely, actually. I don't think he might never go to a decision. Is he about to get got, again, it's something wacky. He's going to do some weird fight cancellations in there, I'm sure, as happens to anyone to hang around long enough, I just like Guscop a lot. And he represents the chaos of Emma, and I'm here for it.

So he's the breakout fighter of the year so far for you? He might be. He might be. Wait, get rid of this silly Ricky, where it changed a breakthrough. I'll tell you, Goucob is the frontrunner after that, those shenanigans last, last night.

Max Griffin, Carlson Harris. I like it. Prachneal versus Balato. Balato did us a favor before by beating Poteria. Yes. So let's see if you can do us another one by beating Prachneau and getting him closer to a UFC exit. What Barry?

Why? What did Martin Prachneau do to you? Loma. This has popped up on the show a lot, and I hope they book it at some point. Loma and Carolina Kobakovins. Caroline booked? I don't think so.

I don't think so. So she's free. I think she is booked. I don't think she is. I checked topology, so I don't know if there's a rumor about it that just isn't on there. Oh, okay. Never mind. I stand corrected.

Yeah, I had also assumed that that's why no one else mentioned it. But it had been brought up on another show. Like, this is just a bit. If both women keep winning, this is the logical fight to see if Loma is a top 10 contender and if how much Carolina says left of the gas tank. Because Carolina has been fighting for a long time. And this is a favorable style matchup for Keralina. I just think at this point Loma is a better stand-up fighter. You know, this is how the game works.

The youth take the spot of the more experienced fighters. So, yeah, I would favor Loma that way. But technique-wise, skill-wise, Carolina can still hang with her. So anyway. Belagi-Oki versus Michael Figlack. Again, Mike, the Apexie matchmaking is on point. I mean, just well done, people.

I believe there's something in the... in the works from Mr. Fieglack. Wow. I think I could report. Look at that. Look at that. There's something in the works. The hint of a scoop.

Tune into a heck of a morning this week, guys. If you want to know what's next for Michael Figlack, I'm just saying it could be. It could come out soon. Carlos Prakis, Matthew Semmelzberger, Hadovo, Vietta, and Nicol. Bo will beat Brundage, and this will be a step up against someone who's no pushover on the ground should end up there. A very interesting fight. It is. Mike, I, it's way too soon, but I would love to see that fight.

I would love to see how far. Two fights away? Okay. Nickel wins. If Nickel wins a 300, wins his next fight, I would say maybe get him back in by July. End of the year. Bo Nickel versus Hedolph of Yerra.

It's fine with me. The only reason I want it now is like, this is a Japanese MMA fight. Like this is something Risen would do. It's like, oh, like, Ryzen would have done this if Bo NICL had no MMA fights. They would just sell him as,

oh, one of the best college wrestlers of his generation. And now he's fighting a jujitsu. who specialists like this this could happen in risin but uh not here not here in the ufc not in america where we care about like meritocracy and rules and stuff so i'm a little sad we probably won't see it soon you're right it's it's at best at best two matchups away for bo's so i'm curious though uh this has been thrown around a lot of course michael johnson patty pimblet uh barry says doubt it happens i like the idea of pimblec going on a randy orton like run of legend

killing if he beats johnson uh he could take on jim miller um No. This is bad. This is not good. Okay. It's not good. I'm sorry. It's not good. No one wants to see that fight. He's a legend. Be that as it may. He's also like the 49th ranked lightweight in the world right now.

Like that fight does nothing for Patty. It does nothing for him. And even if Michael Johnson beats Patty, like it does nothing for Michael Johnson. It just be like, oh, cool, Paddy's a fraud. Like the whole thing is going to be about Patty. Johnson gets nothing from this win at all. It's not good. I'm sorry. Shout out Michael Johnson.

Certainly not a fighter I would refer to as a legend. But someone has had, I think, an excellent career. And again, I actually thought he was going to lose the Darius Flowers again, just because of my whole, like, oh, I'm always picking the younger fighter thing. But he took care of business in the way that, again, guys who have fought in the UFC, whatever it is, 30-something times. That's how you get it done. That's how you get it done, man.

It's not always going to be highlight real knockouts and exciting submission. And sometimes you've got to just, you got to know what your opponent can do, target those weaknesses and just take them out and get that to get that second check at the end of the night. And Michael Johnson has been so good at that. So big shout of some Michael Johnson for a not just another great veteran win. And Griger Rodriguez Pfeer and he makes a note beating Brad DeVarage usually means you're going to be successful in the UFC. That's kind of true, right? I had to go look, I'm trying to think. I'm trying to look back.

Driggis duplice. Sure. For a example. Yep. Is he? Yeah. Edvin Chabazzian, not so great hit. Rob Whitaker?

Wow, Rob Whitaker. I forgot about that. I forgot they fought in May 2015. Yoel Romero. Okay, so there's at least like four or five guys who won the UFC title or fought for the UFC title after fighting. He's the ultimate gatekeeper. Hey, I shoutouts to Michael Jones. Shout us to Brad DeVar as well.

Again, the guy keeps finding ways to get checks and keep himself employed. So, you know, nothing about respect. And last one here, Hermanson versus Bahalio. I'm going to say that Baha'aio beats Craig, which hurts me to say as I love Craig. And so he should get to step up. and move into a main event from a co-main. So it will more than likely be the Imava fight, but I prefer this one.

Mike, how much do you like Hermannsen and Bahalio? Assuming he'd be Paul Craig? Hermannsen, Bahalio, fine. Yeah. I think, I don't know. I don't know how I feel about Kyle Barallio right now. I just don't know. I think they, like, have something with him.

but I don't... I'm not sure. It's such a mystery right now. I'll learn a lot about him in this Paul Craig fight. We'll learn something. But he's just been fine? Like, none of his performances have been like, oh my Lord, this dude's the guy.

He's just a very solid fighter who thinks he's better. Maybe he just rubbed me the wrong way after his last performance. He called out Drickus DuPasie. who is about to fight for the title in one of the worst callouts of the last five years. Are we in the... I can't get that out of my head?

I don't know. Are we in a moonshot callout stretch right now? This feels recent. This feels very recent. Like guys just straight up calling for title shots who are... At tell shots are title contenders

who are not remotely close to fighting these guys. Yeah, and it never works out. Aspelal Muhammad, the dude's been calling for title shots for four years and he still hasn't gotten it yet. Like, come on.

You got to be realistic. Realistic callouts are great. Jack Hermanson, nothing wrong with that. Comes out, says, Ema Vov, very realistic. Probably, like, arguably a step back. Like, just a very good call out. And then goes to the post-fight press conference.

He has asked about Hamzaa Chimayev. He says, of course I'll fight Hamzaa Chimayev. And I don't get him, I'll fight Imovov. Like, this is what you do. That's how you do it. Hey, I just want a decision against the 47th, ranked middle way in the world. I want drink is do pussy. The hell are you talking about? Come on, man. Mike, I am team. I am hashtag team unrealistic callouts. And even I,

some of these recent ones, I've just been rolling my eyes. The Thumbah, I just so bizarre. Oh my God. Nice guy. Nice guy. But I'm like, what, what? Where is this coming from? And again, shoot for the moon. You'll land in the stars, all that, whatever inspiration cliche you want. And again, we've seen situations where it kind of like, you know, they don't get the person they want. But again, yeah, you get, you get at least, you know, at least UFC and the matchmakers, at least understand your ambition and the career, the direction your career is going in. But it's getting, it's getting a little too far out there. You're wasting mic time. You're wasting air time at this point. So let's try and find a middle ground people. You can still make big callouts,

but take a look at the rankings before your fight. I know you got other concerns. Take a look, ask your management. Ask one of your people's in your group. To take a look at the rankings, just a little note for you. Here's a good callout. Here's a good. mid-range or fringe contender call-out. There you go. That's where your money's at. That's where your money's at. You don't need to be going all the way to the top.

You do not need to be doing this. It's just my advice. Temba beat Takashi Sato and Peter Rodriguez. Yes, he did. And Watts a title shot. Yes. In 2024. Correct.

That would be the most unrealistic half I've ever heard in this sport. Listen, Thumbah. even your boy the Rock isn't getting his title shot now, all right? So take a note. Take a note there. Even the Rock has to accept reality sometimes. Okay? So hopefully we've all learned something from this.

And going forward, Mike, we'll talk about $2.98 in a second. I know you give the rundown. Hopefully, I'm just trying to look at some possible names here. Oh, I mean, if Ian Machado, Gary wins. Oh, you know, we can have a lot of callouts here, Mike, that are going to make people angry. Actually, not I'm looking at the cards. I'll tell you what. If I'm Ian Machado, Gary, I, I,

calling for Leon Edwards. Of course. Well, actually, I'm calling for Colby. But if he, if Ian Machado, Gary goes out and just runs over Jeff Diel and calls out Leon Edwards, I'm telling you right now, if I'm Belal Muhammad, I am like, I'm gulping in fear. Because the UFC will probably put that fight together, like super quickly. Them two in the UK would be frigging huge, way bigger than Balal.

So, yeah. The laws will be watching this one pretty closely. Ian Machado, Gary, can make a dent. These are, like, realistic call. It's like, if Rinyan Nakamura beats Carlos Vera and then calls us. O'Malley. Shotto Valley! I'm coming.

Val Woodburn. Hey, Leon Edwards. I'm coming. Come on, though. But, yes, UFC 298. Anything else? Are we good? That is it.

We are good to go, my friend. It is a pay-per-view week, so that means we will. be returning via the magic of YouTube next Sunday following UFC 298 and boy this could this card could not come soon enough what a main card it is Alexander Volcanovsky versus ilia toporia just so good for the featherweight title co-made at robert whittaker versus paula costa flying completely under the radar feature fight jeff deal versus ian machado gary right now completely flying under the radar rob wallace really versus henry sehudo completely flying under the radar right now. Fluffy Hernandez

versus Roman Coppulov, the main card opener. Just a beautiful main card opener right there. Amanda Lemos versus McKenzie Dern, I believe is the feature prelim. Marcus Hagerio de Lima versus Justin Taffa on the ESPN prelims. Remember,

M.R. D.L. Got flying need by Derek Lewis and became kind of hilarious footnote in 2023. The aforementioned Rini Nakamura versus Carlos Vera. Minyang Zhang versus Brenson Ribeiro, Josh Quinlan, Danny Barlow,

Val Woodburn, O'Bahn Elliott, and it looks like the first fight of the card as of right now. Andrea Lee versus Miranda Maverick, the curtain jerk, Ray, K. Interesting. I wouldn't be surprised to see that changed in the final lineup, but I also wouldn't be surprised to see it stay there.

If anything, just to, I don't know, give the, kick the pay-per-view, you know, for people who they know are watching the pay-per-view from beginning to end, maybe kick it off with a little bit of notoriety, you know, people they've actually heard of. Yeah, 12. Nice tight 12 fights. Please, yes.

Just the way it should be. I mean, pay-per-view cards, like you could do 14, 15, 60. It doesn't matter because we know when things are going to start. We know it's going to be a five-fight main card. We know it's going to start at this time. Nothing's going to stop it. Twelve is like, 12 is a nice little number. And I can't wait to, I cannot wait for this card.

I cannot wait to get back to New York. Cannot wait to see the crew and cannot wait to matchmake live on YouTube immediately following UFC 298, what a week it is going to be. E. Casey Liden boots on the ground. Very excited to see what comes out of that and I'm very excited to get ready for UFC 298.

So thank you very much for listening to the program. Back live next week on YouTube for AKI. I am Ikech. Always remember the golden rule. Don't take this stuff too seriously. The NBA is supposed to be fun. And boy, we're going to have some fun. You have C-298 fight week, and it closes up right here and on onto the next one, the podcast.

You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network. Okay, only 10 more presents to wrap. You're almost at the finish line. But first, there, the last one. Enjoy a Coca-Cola for a pause that refreshes.