MMA Fighting - On To the Next One: Top-5 Title & Non-Title Fights We Need To See in 2021

Episode Date: January 10, 2021

On the 26th episode of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee list off their top-five title fights we need to see in 2021 in the sport of mixed martial arts.  In addition, they also discuss five of the best non-title fights we could see during this new year. Where do the likes of Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and others fit in these equations?  Follow Mike Heck: @MikeHeck_JR Follow Alexander K. Lee: @AlexanderKLee Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network. Everybody and welcome to a brand new edition of On to the Next one, which is typically MMA Fighting's matchmaking podcast. And we're going to kind of sort of do that on the program this week, but it'll be a little more of a wider net, so to speak. This will be the final non-matchmaking for the previous event show for a couple of weeks now because the UFC is back on Fight Island to kick off their 2021. It kicks off this Saturday afternoon, January 16th.

with the card headlined by Max Holloway versus Calvin Cater. That's going to be on ESPN Plus as well as ABC. And that's what we're going to be talking about next week on the show. And then four days later is Michael Kiesa versus Neil Magny in the main event. And then, of course, Dustin Porier versus the returning Connor McGregor headlining January 23rd's UFC 257 event. But this week, we're going to be doing some fantasy matchmaking for title fights, non-title fights, fights we need to see in 2021.

And joining me in this venture is the co-host, the co-matchmaker, the best friend, and the Prince of Positivity. The one, the only, Alex Cayley. How are you, sir? Oh, my good. What an introduction. My good man. My good man, my best friend, Mike Heck. It has been nice to kind of sort of just expand the creative parts of our brain for the last couple of weeks and not worry about sort of immediate, you know, matches that need to be made.

I am ready. I am ready to get back to, you know, kind of reacting our quick reactions to events. but it's nice that today we'll sort of get to cap off these last couple of weeks of no UFC fights and look ahead. You know, just look ahead a little bit. I'm suspecting. So you kind of sit up.

We're talking about championship fights. We're talking about non-champuretreats. For the championship fight, for both, I should say, I'm trying to stick with fights that don't have a date. There's some I think I include that obviously have been discussed for a long time. But my only rule I think was, if it has a reported or rumored date, then I tried to keep away from it. But other than that, I think we're pretty wide open with our picks here.

Yeah, I'm kind of with you on that. You'll see on my number five that I didn't go completely on that road. But before we get to this top five, you mentioned the creativity and all the different things we've been trying to do. Big shout out to you all, the listeners, for making the 2021 predictions extravaganza, the most downloaded onto the next one of all time for this short. history of the program. So we appreciate that very much. That was a like don't tell them that. A crazy episode and a lot of a lot of feedback. You can't let them know they run the show.

Well, we appreciate that. Numbers are good. I love reader submissions, but we are not giving, we are not handing over the show to you guys. Okay. I love you guys. I love readers, listeners. I love you guys. We're not handing the show over to you, okay? I don't care what the ratings say. There you go. But this week, we're going to run down our top five title fights. That's what you said that we need to see in 2021 and also the top five non-title fights we need to see in 2021. We're going to start with the title fights, AK, because some of these matchups, like you already kind of talked about, may have already been put together. Some have not, you know, same. Some might not get put together at all when it's all sudden and done, depending on what happens over the next several months.

But we will begin with you, sir. No messing around. What is your number five title fight that we need to see in the year of our Lord to, I've got some honorable mentions, but I think I'll say those after. I'll throw some quick honorable mentions after. So my first, my number five, we're going five to one. Five to one. Five to one.

My number five, it's a little bit low wattage, but it's one that's been discussed. And I really hope it can still happen. I still want to see Jan Blahovic versus Glover-Resheshire. And I am also making that pick, my number of my pick because this is kind of, I do have to look ahead from when this matchup actually, you know, finally gets booked and starts to really come around. I think I'd be leaning towards Blahovich to beat, uh, uh, is a, Is he a dissonia? I think. I think. So that's why this is my thinking. He does successfully defend

the title and then the sheriff. I can still happen. So I know it's not the, you know, they're not the two biggest mainstream names, not the sexiest matchup, but it's the right match that's the right match that you made. That's what I want to see happen in 2021 somehow. My number five was ranked higher on the list before it became a thing and became official and we confirmed it to have an actual date. But it will remain at number five on my list. Overall, Kamar Usman versus Gilbert Burns at UFC 258. This fight needs to happen, AK, for the sole fact that this Walterweight division is so, so good, yet it has lost a ton of steam since UFC 251. The top of this division has kind of gone radio silent in terms of matchups, matchmaking, et cetera.

And I think it's because we need to see the outcome of this fight on February 13th. And Leon Edwards is the only name in the top five that's tied to besides Gilbert Burns to any kind of. of a fight right now with Hamzat Shemayef. And I do want to discuss this because people have asked about it. There has been reports that it will take place on March 27th, Edwards v. Shemayef. Although I've asked around about that, those reports I've been told are a bit premature, was told by one source, as a matter of fact, that reporting a date at this point is essentially, quote, like throwing a dart and hoping it lands. So there you go. There's an upday on that fight, but we still have Covington and Mazadol. We got Wonderboy Thompson, who I spoke with on

Saturday, you'll hear that interview on what the heck this week. This fight needs to happen to get this train out of the station. So that is why it remains on my list of number five, AK. Yeah, you're right. And it's funny, we've seen some other divisions that have kind of been stuck at the top and yet still able to, you know, our own Jedmishu this weekend, he wrote a nice, he's been doing a review of all the divisions. And his review of the heavyweight division was a little glum because obviously,

you know, we got the resolution of the Cormier-Mioch's trilogy, and then that was it. And then the title fight, the title picture is frozen. But it's funny. It feels like the other guys in the top 10, except for poor Francis and Ghanu, have kind of been able to still get matched up and move along. But you're right. We haven't seen that with Walter Waite. It feels like the majority of the guys in the top 10 really have just kind of been waiting around and sitting around. So yes, you've got to shake the top of that tree, I guess, to get everything moving again. My number four, AK is Zhang Wei versus Rosenami Yunus for pretty much the same reasons as my number five. There's just so much talent at 115. A lot of rising contenders, some potential returning contend. There's a lot of fights I want to see at 115 in 2021, but until we have a title fight, we're kind of at a standstill in some of these other fights in terms of putting them together. So because of that, I'm going with Zhang versus Rose in the hopes that this fight does get put together.

What is your number four? Get out of my head. That is my number four. I'm pretty sure this is the only one we're going to have the same. I'm looking at the rest of my list. But I'm not surprised. I'm not surprised that this ended up on both of our list somewhere because it is the presumed matchup outside of maybe Jessica Andrage, which which, oh no, sorry, Jessica Andrade is at 125 now.

Yes. So this is the presumed matchup. I can't imagine unless people are really clamoring for like Tatiana Suarez to come out of nowhere and get a title shot. But I don't, I think everyone knows she needs to come back, fight again, get another win. And then I'd be more than happy to see her fight, uh, Zhang Wei. But no, Rose Numbers, we need to, I just have to, we need to end this stupid, stupid drama of, uh, her and her team and Dana White and the whole show she didn't want to fight Zhang

wheel. It's insane. That's crazy. People need to stop questioning. They need to stop questioning Rose. Even people are like when they say, oh, the whole bus thing. I can't be sure with the honor with the phone. She defended her world title immediately after the bus incident.

How can people question this woman's mental toughness? It is absurd to me. I know my little spiel is not going to stop people. But yeah, it's a great fight. And I think Rose is a very good matchup for, for Zhang and Lady, too. I would not, I would not say, oh, this is just like a mandatory title defense for Zhang, another name for her to add to her resume. Rose-on-Buner could really beat her and could really become the champion.

of course the other name in the mix as danaway mentioned was carla sparsa so if they can't book that one carla gets in there uh what is your number three sir i'm going i'm going outside of the ufc i'm going outside of america i i think i need to see this i kind of want to see keoggi hurraguchi and juan archelaida i don't know how i don't know how eager bell to be again to do a champion versus champion thing because it did not work out well for darren called well i think in that snare, you would have hoped that Darren Caldwell and Corruguchi would have both won one, and you could have set up a trilogy bout. Corruguchi won both bouts pretty convincingly.

So I don't, he won by submission and the other one, I believe, went to a decision. And I remember Caldwell just didn't do enough. I remember it was called well, just doing a lot of wrestling, but no offense. And I think it was kind of weird. There was really no controversy. I think I think Caldwell thought there was. There really wasn't. So yeah, if they're open to making this an annual thing, because Horoguchi is certainly willing

to fight other champions, if they're willing to do this an annual thing, thing, I'd love to see that matchup happened. Horaguchi has lost one. Oh, they both only lost once since 2015. Horaguchi, the non-title fight to Kai Sakora, and he just got caught. I think he's a better fighter. And Archiletta at featherweight. So Archelaida hasn't lost at 135 pounds in like forever.

So that'd be a six-six-six-six-match. Whether it happens in Belator or in Risen, I think it would be awesome. That was in my honorable mentions. My number three, we're sticking. There is Belator here. This is a Bellator pick, and this is no disrespect towards Emmanuel Sanchez because he is still in the mix in the Bellator featherweight Grand Prix. But man, am I fascinated by Patricio Pitbull versus A.J. McKee. I mean, this is the biggest fight Bellator can make in 2021.

Of course, Pitbull has to beat Emmanuel Sanchez whenever that fight happens. But if he defends his title successfully, good gravy, AK, the excitement, the anticipation will build even more than it already has since the infamous McKeatine we saw at the. end of 2020 against the aforementioned Dary and Caldwell, Bellator takes the number three spot, A.K., I can't wait for that one when it happens. Wow, McKee Pitbull was also my honorable mention. And I honestly forgot that pit bull was not already in the final. You're right. Agent McKee is in the final. We know that. Oh, okay. So that's why I think I was considering that fight essentially books just without a date. Oh, wow. And I like Manuel Sanchez. Manuel Sanchez is a super exciting fighter. And if you were to pull off the upset, I mean, it would be a good fight with Asian McKee,

but it definitely wouldn't have that cachet. We really, really need to see that pit bull. Aegee-Meeky fight happened at some point. And hopefully in a tournament final with a title on the line, it would be one of the five biggest fights in Belta history. Yes, I agree. And a million dollars in the line, like that fight hopefully happens in 2021. As you head to my number two, it has to be Stipe Mietchich versus Francis Inganu

because of the looming John Jones factor. John is bulking up. He's training hard. He's getting ready for his heavyweight debut. and it doesn't look like that debut is going to happen until this Miichich versus Ngano fight plays out, which according to Dana White, looking like April, there is no date official yet, but it looks like April will be it. But because of the John Jones factor, and he's one of the bigger stories heading into this year,

that is my number two pick AK, what say you? Yeah, I like it. It didn't make my list on my honorable mentions. I think a few reasons, and we're just nitpicking here, of course, the fight I want to see. But obviously, you know, we'd seen it in some form before. I'd like to imagine that Francis has evolved since then, and it wouldn't be a similar fight, but it's certainly in my mind,

it's hard for me not to think about how that first fight went. But I do, of course, it would be worth running back to see how far along Francis come along because he's done everything he can do to prove it that he's the number one contender again. But yeah, and also there's the cloud of Jones hanging over it is also like actually makes it weirder for me because I do wonder, is there any possibility

Jones slides in and gets the fight instead? Because like you said, we're talking about April. He said potentially April, That's a long time from now. Four months. In M.MA, four months is like four years. It moves so quickly with guys who are getting injured, guys changing their interests. Dana White and the matchmaker is deciding, oh, we'd rather do this guy and say this guy.

So that's why, I think that's why it was hard for me to focus on on Moturing Gontu. But you're right. If we're matchmaking, I probably do want to see that. Well, no. No, I'm a casual. I just want to see Jones fight at Mietch right away. my number two I'm sticking with bantam weights

I'm high I'm really high on bantam weights this is no secret whoever wins the Piotr-Yon-Alz-Ramein-Stirling fight UFC 259 March 6th I gotta see him fight Tj de lichah I got to see it I got to see it people I know Dillashah cheated I know he was on the shelf for a good reason

I know we don't know the performance how much those helped him in his prime during his championship run but I do know when he's in the cage She's a hell of an exciting fighter, and I think the best 135 are in the world. So some point this year, I want to see him get a tell a shot. I like it, AK. Had to do it.

What is your number one? What is the number one title fight we have to see in 2021? My number one, this is a lot of pieces that have to fall into place. I don't know how this. And the reason it's a dream fight is just because I know one of the people would have no interest in taking it. So I have, so only I, we can book it. Connor McGregor, if he becomes the champion, I don't think, Kimib is coming back. Conor Gregor, if he becomes a champion again, he should have to fight Charles Olivera.

Charles O'Reilly should get a title fight. I can't imagine Connor having any interest in that fight. I think he'd rather go pursue boxing again than give DeBronx a title fight. But it disfulfills a lot of things I want to see, which is, again, big fight for Olavera, him getting a title fight. And I also think Connor will beat Porriere and probably beat maybe hook her a Chandler and a vacant title fight. I don't know. There's a lot of pieces that to fall in the place. But by the end of 2021, I'd like to see this fight happen.

I don't think it will, but that's my fantasy matchup. We are on the same page in terms of the number one. You are a little more specific than I. I mean, I know we're actually taking matchups, but we just need to see a lightweight title fight, like, officially on the books. That is my number one. This division is the biggest competitive storyline in the sport without question, AK. People have been clamoring for a tournament since Habib retired.

UFC 257, like you said, has some very important. matchups to determine what could happen. Dana White said they want to book Justin Gagee versus Charles Olivera. There's just so many moving pieces here. But we can move up more in terms of this discussion once we figure out what's going on with Habib. Him and Dana White are supposed to be meeting this week at some point. And then once we crown an official champion, you know, we can actually move this thing along here. It's just so many questions. Like just a lightweight title fight needs to come on the books. I don't know who it's going to be at this point. Like you said, There's just so many moving pieces, but at some point, a decision needs to be made on who is going to fight for this title.

I don't want to see interim attached to anything. If Habib is not ready to come back in 2021, let's just move on and book a new champion. If Habib wants to come back some other time, he fights for the belt immediately. But let's just move on and put a title fight on the books. That is the most important thing needs to happen championship-wise in the UFC. And in MMA personally, is the UFC lightweight division having a title fight. Is that your, wait, is that your number one? That's my number one.

Some sort of lightweight title fight. Yes, anything. I don't care. Mike, I had to put you on the spot. What would be your, what was, what is the one lightweight title fight that you would want to see that? I want to see. All right, McGregor versus Gaichi is the fight. I want, as a fan, I want to see it.

That would. That's just a crazy fight. I just want to see what would happen. It should have happened already. I don't know why it hasn't since all the trash talk and all this stuff. I can't believe it hasn't happened already, but if I had to choose, one to crown a new champion, it's that one. But again, we got Oliver in there. I'm with you, I think right now Charles Olivera is the wild card here, and I picked him to end the year as the

champion. So there's a part of me why I want to see Oliver versus Gaichi, and you'll hear that later on. I want to see how that plays out. But at the same time, it could ruin everything in terms of what the UFC probably wants to see. You've got me thinking about Gaeta. He's an Ali guy, too. There you go. There's that heat there already, right? It's another Ali client. Wow. Wow, that would be something. And that is a fight. Oddly, I think that's a fight. I think if McGregor had to, had to choose, again, he doesn't have to do anything. If he had to choose between Gaichi and Olivera, he'd probably rather fight Gaichi, wouldn't he? 100%. Right? Okay. And I think, and again, I think Oliver is so great. But fans, I think probably Gaetchi is a little bit more of a fan favorite.

I think both guys are super exciting, but for whatever reason, I think Gaithi's a little bit more of fan favorite. So, yeah, I hadn't even thought of that for a reason. Probably because I was only looking at guys, I guess, I'm just trying to match winners, winners, winners, et cetera. But Gachy could have one or two wins this year. Who knows, that set him up for another lightweight title shot, right? Oh, you're right, lightweight, lightweight title. Yeah, right. We just need to see that lightweight title defendant.

Yes, Emporee is no slouch. Can't wait to see that fight on January 23rd. But those are the title fights. I mean, do you want to throw in a couple of your honorable mentions? We mentioned them already. The only other one I didn't mention was because I do think Adisnia will not. beat Blahobas, or at least right now, that's what I'm thinking. At some point, I want to see him defend against Kevin Holland this year.

I think, I think in Disseigneur, Holland would be so much fun. Again, that could be a third quarter, fourth quarter of 2021 bout, but I do think Holland's going to keep winning. I think maybe there's a Vittori grudge match in there somewhere. I don't know. I'm not sure what it takes. Who knows them? Because he could fight four times before the summer.

But I do, I do think that that's a fight that if Adisnia comes back to middleweight and six around should happen this year. Yeah. I will throw, since we're going to go to our top five non-title fights you need to see in 2021. My number six is Kevin Holland versus Marvin Vittory. That fight just needs to happen at some point. Collins is speaking that man's name all year long, and I think they're both in a position now,

especially if Kevin Holland beats Derek Brunson on March 20th and does it convincingly, Holland versus Vittori is a great matchup to make. But, AK, let us begin with your number five selection for the non-title fight, category here in 2021? You know, not much to add here because it kind of plays off what we just said about Gachie. I do want to see Gagey fight however many times. I'd love to see him fight three times in 2021. I don't know if he's being more selective now that he's kind of in that top five.

He can afford to be more selective. Win or lose, whatever happens, if he does end up fighting Oliver, winner lose, I think I need to see him fight Paul Feldar this year. Damn. I'd love to see it just in Gage Gagee Paul Fender fight. That would just be nasty. That would be so nasty. Paul Felt had a couple of good ones this year.

So, yeah, just keep that train around. Really simple. Again, we just kind of carry on our conversation. One to five is so loaded. We just want to see these guys get busy and all these kind of matchups and hopefully everybody fights everybody someday. Like I stated before, I'm very excited to see where the strawweight division goes this year. I'm very much looking forward to it. And I've been saying this for a little while now. At this point, much like what we're seeing in the men's featherweight division,

like at featherweight to earn a title shot, I think you have to earn it by beating Max Holloway. Like if Calvin Cater beats Max Holloway on January 16th, there is no doubt about it. He's fighting for the title. That's a name that pretty much guarantees you a title fight. At 1.15, that name is Joani and Jacek. She is the all-time queen of this division. Long Rain. Her name is synonymous with that title.

And there has been a lot of talk, as we mentioned, about Carla Esparza getting the next title shot. And I don't dislike that idea at all. But I do want to see one more win from Asparza against someone at the time. up and I want to see her do it against somebody who beat her up badly years ago and took the title from her. So if the UFC book Zhang Wei v. Rose Namuenas, which I think is the favorite to happen, I think this is a no-brainer that you booked the rematch between Yanni and Jacek and Carla Sparza, right?

Like if Rose wins and Yohanna wins, yeah, we got some hurdles there. We got to move some things around and make her next set of the fights makes sense. It's hard to put you on that fight. But if any other combination of things happen, we are good to go. go. I really think Carla needs that fight back, even if she loses, at least walk into that fire and try to have a competitive fight with Yana. That's a fight I've been wanting to see for years now. And if Asparza doesn't get the title fight, I think this is the fight to make. I don't think there's any other one that makes sense at 115. It's a fair thing to do. It's a fair thing to do.

As far as it, Forestrait wins. Really, one of the hottest names at 115 right now. Yowana has been on the shelf since that, that Zhang War, that'll be nine months as of now. So, you know, you could make an argument. You could make an argument that now, if ever, that Asparza would have a chance to avenge that loss. I imagine when the odds came out, I'm pretty sure if that fight were booked, Yonah would be at least a two-to-one favorite. But again, it's definitely better chances now than if you, you know, than in the past. And yeah, and it's a can't lose scenario for the UFC. If Asparza wins, like you said, it's that exclamation point on her proving that she is,

she is ready to become a world champion again. And then you have a fresh matchup with Zhang. If Yoana wins, you get the Yonnaschang matchup, we all want to rematch. We all want to see anyway. So, yeah, I like it. I like it. My number four, and maybe you're probably going to shake your head. Maybe this is recency bias.

I'm ready. I'm ready to shake. Maybe this is regional bias, AK. But after what we saw on December 19th at UFC Vegas 17, I want to see Rob Font versus Jose Aldo. I know there's the looming T.J. Dillashaw factor in there that could prevent this match from happening. But to give Dillashah a title fight

or the Aldo fight, frankly, just doesn't seem fair to me, AK, after what he did and the suspension and all of that. And I've been pretty consistent in guessing that the UFC will look to do to the best of their ability, the Dillishaw versus Uriah favor fight. I think they will try and make that happen. But Font versus Aldo

is a great fight. Aldo lost a decision tomorrow Mariah. Some feel that Jose Aldo won that fight, but Rob Fon went in there and decimated Marl Marius, and Aldo looked phenomenal against Cheeto Vera. Both guys called for T.J. So at worst, this could be a T.J. Dillishaw contender fight. I am down for that, but I want to see how this plays out between those two guys,

aka Font versus Aldo. It's a great matchup, especially with where things are at in this loaded and deep 135-pound division. So what is your number four, sir? Well, first I'll say I like to font Aldo pick. He's earned it. He's earned a big name. Aldo is as big as it gets. Still super competitive as we said, like I said, he just beat Cheeto.

And again, and even in the fights he's lost at 135, he's looked really good. So definitely nothing wrong with that there. I have other plans for Jose Aldo, which is probably why I did not consider him for a Rob Fawn fight. I have other plans, which I'll reveal later. My number four, at light heavyweight, both these guys are booked, which is why. So I don't care whether they win or lose their next fights. This is, again, this is, I'm looking, I looked pretty far ahead, I think, on both my lists. So this could be a second half for 2021 thing.

I'd really like to see, because I don't, I'm not as high on this guy getting an instant title shot. I'd really like to see Yerite Prohachka, whether he beats Dominic Rarez or not on February 27th. I'd like to see him fight Johnny Walker at some point. John and Walker fighting Jimmy Crute on March 27th. This is more of a stylistic thing. I'm just like, I think there's two really super exciting guys, really exciting strikers, great athletes. So yeah, whether it's because they both ended up losing those matchups or they both win and they need to, they both need to one more win before, you know, getting a shot of the title, somewhere down the road, I want to see the. I want to see these guys fight this year.

And I think it's very, very possible that happens. Because, again, we really don't know what's going to happen with the light heavyweight title picture after Izzy and Jan Blahovich. That is a ridiculous fight. It's so fun. That's so crazy. All right. I like it.

What's your number three? Oh, what's my number three? Let's get freaky. I say freaky, by the way, not in any sort of detriment to the participants. I say this in terms of like it's just a matchup that probably would have to be open weight, I think. It's like a weird one. It'd be open weight.

It would be, I don't even know what organization it would take place in. Kayla Harrison, I want to see her fight Gabby Garcia. I don't care. Yeah, that's right. And look, this is number three on the list because, yes, this is an unlikely fight. Gabby has not competed in MMAs since I think two years in December 2018. So I don't know if she even does plans to fight again. It's always been hard for her to find opponents.

Reisen has constantly lined up former Josie pro wrestling. who were in their 50s against her, much to the ridicule from a lot of the mainstream fans who hear about these fights. But look, Kayla is, she's proven she'd make 145. That's great. I don't know if she made 145, either way. She's proven she can make the non-title feather weight limit. And Gabby is probably closer to Kayla's natural size, you know, before the weight cuts.

So I think it would be a fun fight for Kayla. I would certainly pick Kayla to win. I don't think Gabby is a particularly great mixed martial arts. but I think it'd be fun. I need to see that for Verizon. And look, PFL has been very open about letting Kayla compete

outside of the organization or they, I don't know if she's doing, if they're doing a lightweight, are they doing a lightweight season, women's lightweights for 2021? I believe they are. They are,

okay. That might complicate things. So if that happens, then it would happen, you know, this would probably happen in Risen or another organization. If it doesn't happen,

then you keep Kayla busy and give her fights in the PFL, but giving her exhibition opponents or special attraction opponents, whatever you want to call it. And I think Gabby Garcia would be so, so much fun. Can headline the next fight circus event. Oh, don't get me started. My number three, and maybe this is cheating because it could end up being a title fight when it actually happens.

But I want to see the former UFC lightweight champion, the newest member of the Professional Fighters League lightweight roster, take on the man who has won the last two million dollar titles for the promotion. Nathan Schulte. Pettis has already been looking at that matchup. He's in a great place physically. He's in a great place mentally. And as soon as he signed with the PFL, this was the matchup everybody was looking at.

And I'm sure the PFL is going to try to do everything they can to shape up the brackets to make sure they meet in the finals. But you never know. This is a crazy sport and anything can happen. And you know what? The million dollar prize means more than like a PFL title belt probably. So in a way, I don't really consider it a title fight. So I can't wait to see how that plays. out if they both get there, which I assume odds-wise, probably a pretty safe bet.

So I'm going a little hipster with this one, aka Pettus versus Schulte. And then I also cheated, I can put that on my honorable mention. That's right. I hadn't thought of it. I think when we were talking title fights, I think we usually meant non-vacantz. I think we're cheating. Look, we can move the goalpost as much as we want. We meant title defenses.

Okay. Yeah, this would be obviously it's essentially a vacance title every year, PFL, right? You're the reigning champion, but the same. way that like a you know some of the NFL or the NBA a team is a reigning champion you're not really you know you don't really hold on to it I love that matchup yeah I hope they do everything they can to make it happen there's a lot of wrestlers you know people have been saying a lot of wrestlers in the PFL lightweight division which has been a Pettis's foil in the past so hopefully he can get past that he's at the point where it's not an issue but yeah and

that's a huge that and that would be a huge fight for the PFL because you have either Nathan Schult to become a three-time champion and get a signature win over a guy that is a very popular name in MMA. Or you're vindicated with this big signing. He comes in, wins one of your tournaments, instant star. Hey, you guys, you know Anthony Pettis? Guess what? He's our champion now.

So, yeah, I think that fight, whatever you guys, these guys got to do, however they got to fudge the brackets, please, BFL, make this happen. Yes, make that fight happen at some point. Even if you do it in the first round. I mean, just the first round. Maybe do it, right? Just to, just not to, because they can meet the, theoretically, you can fight during the regular season and fight again in the playoffs.

Yeah, if you lose the first fight, you're not out. It's not a tournament. Just get right back in there. Give them a softball in the second round, let him get a first round submission, get all the points and get right into that playoffs. Instant rematch. Rematch in the playoffs. Look at that.

My number two, also outside of the UFC, but this needs no explanation. It just rules, just saying the names out loud in the wonderful world of Bellator MMA. It is Joel Romero versus Anthony Rumble Johnson. Two massive signings from the UFC, throw them right in there and let them do their thing, let them handle business. The build would be great. the entrances will be great, the face-offs will be great, the managers going back and forth at each other on social media will be great. The fight will probably end in vicious fashion. That is my number two,

AK, Yowell Romero versus Anthony Johnson. This is malpractice and this fight is never made. Valator, don't mess around. Don't mess around and try and do like a, do like a mini, you don't need like a little mini tournament thing or anything. Or again, if you do decide to do a light heavyweight tournament, then you just match them up in the first round. We don't need any finagling, like, oh, yeah, well, maybe if Ewell gets past this car and maybe, you know, we want, we want see how rumble looks he has in fun of you no no we don't we don't care maybe rumble's rusty as hell and you're well that knocks him out in 30 seconds or vice versa maybe rumble is as much of a beast as ever and he knocks out your well in 30 seconds we don't care we want to see

the way we want to see these two you know huge 205ers uh just just just step in that occasion just throw down so uh yes don't overthink this one scott koker and uh rich chew and everyone else of bell toer don't overthink it just just make it happen absolutely and what is uh do we get your number two? Oh, no. No, no. Right. Yes, my number two. I think some people will be surprised is not my number one. Well, really because my number one, I said this on a recent show with our pal for not of practice that my number one wish for 2021 is just to see this guy fight because we were deprived of his, we deprived of him competing in 2020. And we had a tease that he had a great, great matchup, which fell through. Ryan Hall needs to fight. Ryan Hall needs to fight. I need to see Ryan Hall fight. I need to see Ryan Hall fight. And the matchup that's right now. front of everybody's faces we've mentioned it on previous episodes of on the next one

fans have called for it it has to happen this year I feel like uh Ryan Hall and Bryce Mitchell uh Bryce Mitchell's on his way up he's just such such an such an exciting fighter a great great super athletic grappler I want to see him put that grappling up against Ryan Hall we all want to see it so that's a almost number one from I flipped I flipped flopped at the end but this was originally my number one it's a very very very close number two so please Ryan Hall just get you know and and and the fight gods let's get this guy back to work I like it.

One of our competitor websites did, like, a top list of fights in DC, and they said Bryce Mitchell versus Crone Gracie. I'm like, what? How is Ryan Hall not in that discovery? Let's go. What? How dare they? How dare they?

The disrespect. How do you even think about that? Chrome Gracie hasn't fought in like, what, two years now? I mean, come on. Is he still fighting in M. I don't know. That's why I was so flabbergasted by that pick. I'm like, the guys had like five fights.

Bryce Mitchell's in the top 15, just had two massive wins. back to back and you're going to backslide him to Chrome Gracie? What? No disrespect to Chrome, but he's in the top 15. We're going all the way back to a guy who's like six pro fights and is coming off a loss to Cub Swanson. Come on. This would not be the first time that Gracie has suffered a humbling loss in

MMA and just not fighting. I would just tell me, Google, Google the history of Gracie guys fighting MMA. You'd be surprised how many times it's like their first loss of their career is their last MMA fight. They're just like, all right, I'm good. Yeah, I had my fun. I was having fun. It was great when I was rolling.

And I did not like getting punched in the face as much. I'll see you later. There you go. What is your number one, sir? My number one, this is, I said, look, I had my plans for Jose Aldo, the all-time great. I don't know how this fight's going to happen because, again, I'm matching him up with another veteran. You know, one of the fights I considered was, well, I'll say right now, my number one, Josie Aldo and Dominic Cruz. I want to see this fight for so long.

I think originally I think we all had hoped, if we're talking like years ago, maybe Cruz would go up to 145. This is when, you know, before we thought although it was impossible, go down to no down to 135. Now that we know they can both fight at 135, I mean, it seems likely. Cruz, of course, is going to fight Corey Sanhagen. There's still the matchup. Still, we all kind of want to see Frankie Edgar. No, Cruz is fighting Casey Kenney.

Oh, Cruz is fighting Kenny. Frankie Edgar's fighting Corey Sanning. Correct. Okay, I'm sorry. I got those backwards. Either way, they're both occupied, both facing tough young opponents who they might lose to. So I do want to see Edgar and Cruz fight as well. But I figured if I'm fantasy matchmaking, let me go way outside the box here and do one that hasn't really been brought up recently anyway.

And yeah, I think just Jose Aldo versus Donald Cruz be a classic matchup. It's what I want to see before both guys retire. You know, I don't know how many fights these guys have left, right? It could be one, could be two. So as cool as it is to match them up with young guys, like you said, Cruz and Kenny, cool matchup. I don't mind seeing the UFC matchmakers use their veterans in that way to see to kind of test up-and-comers. I also still want to see Legends fights too. UFC has produced a lot, a lot of great Legends fights,

even though they've never fully committed to like a Legends League. They've produced a lot of these great fights between fan favorites and again, maybe a little bit past their prime, but still really good. And I think that's where Aldo and Cruz are too. It's like, yeah, they're not in their athletic prime. But skill-wise, these guys are as sharp as ever. My number one's going to seem kind of weird, considering how we ended the number one title fight conversation.

But it's Gachie versus Olivera. Massive fight at 155. This is the second, I guess, how I feel it's going to play out is that McGregor's going to fight Porreier I feel like Chandler and Hooker is an important fight

but I don't think it's a number one contender fight I think they will book Gagee versus Olivera and then the two winners will fight later on in the year so I think that's how this is going to play out and this is a huge fight at 55 like these are the if it's not McGregor and Porre these are the next two guys even if Chandler goes out there

and smashes Dan Hooker in like two minutes I still feel like both these guys are higher up on the on the pecking order than then hooker or chandler so to me the winner of that main event should fight the winner of gaecie versus olivera that's your title fight i love it it's fascinating i have no idea how that fight plays out that's my number one we mentioned gaitchie a lot in the show hey gaitzsche isn't jesson gaitier a great fighter uh if we got a couple of just and gasey fights this year and a couple of ryan hall fights this year 2021's already a winner i don't even care uh that's a big win for 2021 i don't even care by any of these other

Give me two Gathe cheese, give me two Ryan Halls, everything else just gravy. Honorable mentions? Shall I? Okay, well, and again, not too many. I mentioned Schulte Pettis. I do hope that that happens either during the regular season or that the cards fall just right for PFL. And they get that as their tournament final. That'd be amazing.

Otherwise, hashtag Marlon and Marlon and Marlon Chito Vera, it's got to happen. And hashtag, I'm still, hashtag lobby for Robbie. Still doing it for Tim Means. I still think that's a fight for Tim Means. He deserves a big fight. He's looked really good lately, and I think it's a good matchup for Robbie too. One of those, if this fight doesn't bring out the old Robbie Lawler, then maybe the old Robbie Lawler is gone forever.

So I think a good matchup for both guys. So yeah, those are just a couple of ones I'm looking at. So ones we've already mentioned. I get a few honorable mentions. James Krause versus Joaquin Buckley, obviously. And also James Crows versus Diego Sanchez. A fight I never thought I wanted to see. I kind of want to see it now after him being on what the heck

in the, all the talk there and the DM that Diego Sanchez said, James Krause about Kraus talking smack about his mentor, Joshua Fabia. I kind of want to see that. And the other one that's on my list, Mazvidal

versus Wonderboy. NMF versus BMF. I want to see that fight at some point in 2021. And I feel like Mazdaal is going to have to fight like three or four times at this point to even get some sort of buzz back because I remember, I remember we were talking about whether or not Mazadol has lost some steam and lost some fans over these last.

And I kind of argued against that. But now I feel like Mazadol has taken quite a few steps back in terms of how fans view him due to his political stances and things that he has said. So I think, and this is something that happens in sports all the time. Ask Tiger Woods about it. Once you go out there and perform and win, takes all that negative stuff away in the sports world. So he needs to get out there and he needs to fight and he needs to fight often. But that's one of the fights I want to see. You want Mazvedal Wonderboy more than Mazadal versus Covington?

Even if like, I don't care. I mean, Mazdaal Covington, I think it's going to end up happening. But even if they do Mazdaal, even if Mazdaal is like, no, I don't want to fight this bomb. I'll fight Wonderboy instead. He's more respectful. I'm fine with that too. But at some point, whether Mazdaal fights Covington, I'd like to see Mazdaal Wonderboy one more time and just see how that plays out. I think Wonderboy deserves a fight like that.

He's already beat him. so that would be fun for Mazadol to try to get that one back and I think with what Wonderboy has done the last two opponents they've given him which is luke and freaking Jeff neal give the man what he wants give him a shot against the biggest star in the division and if he wins gets one more shot at the belt I like it that uh that Krause buckley thing not happening is a mystery eh there's something I do wonder if if the matchmakers think Krause is too much for Buckley at this day of his career maybe this is just speculation by the way I wish this speculations about it I wish this speculation. There's not anything we've heard. There's not anything either the fighters have said.

This is just, if anything, based on what both fighters have said, this match should have happened friggin two months ago. So it's, it is strange. It is very strange that they haven't even thought of, um, that we have heard no rumor of this fight like being in the works. It doesn't sound like the UFC's interested in putting it together. I don't know why. My theory would be that they think, they don't want to derail the hype train of Buckley. I, I think someone of the UFC thinks that cross might be too much for Buckley right now. You're probably right. That's what I think. It's a risky fight against a guy who doesn't fight that often, but when he fights, he wins.

James Krause always, he just seems to always win. He's very good. Yeah. And he'll, it doesn't matter the circumstance. He'll fly to Abu Dhabi on two weeks notice and fight a guy on a 14-fight winning street can beat him. Like that on one leg. That's exactly what he just did. So, but I think the weight classes might have had something to do with it as well since Krause fights at 70.

Buckley fights at 85. maybe Krause didn't want to go up to 85 didn't seem like Buckley wanted to go down to 70 although Crows, I don't think he cares he'd fight at 85 or 95 or wherever if you book him a fight he's going to say yes and he's going to take it but I mean to see people actually say that

James Kraus is ducking Joachian buckley what an absurd asinine statement that's unreal I have no idea that could be based on the guy fought Trevin Giles up a weight class on 24 hours notice last year like do people forget about that

Who brought it up first? Didn't Krause bring it up first? Didn't Krause bring it up that he disliked Buckley first or maybe not? Buckley called him out first? Buckley was on what the heck and I said what do you want next? And he said he goes, tell James Krause I want to fight him. He sent me, we had a DM discussion. It was brocode, didn't want to reveal it. And then after Krause won, I remember exactly how this happened. Go on our Slack channel and I sent Jose Young's a DM and I said, ask Kraus what his problem with Joachim Buckley is. And he asked him and then Kraus went gangster on everybody. buddy he's not ducking buckley no he clearly wants it Mike of the of all the fights we've discussed today if you can recall of all the fights we discussed today what do you think is the most likely which one that that don't have a reported date by the sorry that don't have a

reported date which one do you think is most likely to happen sheesh I'll pick mine too I've not actually got to look my list right from mine um from non title either either either championship or not either one any of either the list we we made I'll say Romero versus Rumble. Oh. I think that's the most likely. Yeah, because there's not a lot in the way of it, right? Other than other, like, there's no titles on the lot.

Titles, I mean, are a little bit trickier usually because, you know, but yeah, no titles on the line. They're trying to make a big splash. It would just be so random if they both gave them kind of like non, like tune up fights or something. Oh, man, be weird. I don't want to see that. I don't want to see that.

Nobody wants to see that. These guys are going to fight at like three different weight classes. So even if like, that's what he said. So even if, like, Romero beats. Rumble, you could just be like, oh, 205 is in my weight class. I'll just go back up to heavyweight and start knocking out the, you know, the Matt Mitriones of the world. There's plenty of time for squash matches. Let's put it that way.

Let's get the big splash out of the way they can squash guys. You can put them on the MVP diet later. I think, I think, I'm very optimistic that we'll see Zhang and Rose booked. I hope so, yeah. Despite all the chatter, despite all the weird chatter around it, I somewhat agree with kind of what Pat Berry and her both said that there must be some. They kind of politely called it a miscommunication. I feel like I might have been a little more malicious than that when it comes to Dana White when he says these public things about fighters.

But I agree. Maybe some wires got crossed. I just think that there's money to be made there. It's a competitive fight. So yes, I'm going to, for people looking forward to that fight, I am definitely looking at the bright side of things. And I think some point in the first, gosh, maybe not the first quarter, but early second quarter, at least early second quarter, 2021, we will see this fight book.

So that's that for me is of all the match we discussed. I think is not just a dream about. I think it's going to happen. Yeah, I think H.E. Levera happens. Oh, yeah. Yeah. I mean, how, if you don't book Jan Jacek versus Sparza, too, like, what are we doing? Like, what are we doing here?

I don't know. I could see, I could see the UFC. Why? I mean, I mean, it's too logical. It's too logical, Mike. That's too sensible. It's way too logical. There's no other fight that makes any sense.

Like, Nina's, like, just look at who's already booked. You cannot, I don't want to see them throw out like Amanda Hebas. And Yohanna and Manahibas are like our teammates. They're both at ATT. So matching them up makes no sense. Then you got Answeroff. You got McKenzie Dern. You get some of these up and come.

Tantatus Warriors is coming back. But man, like it's just right there. It's too easy. The storyline is built. Yohani and Jacek beat the brace off Carlos Sparza. She didn't want to talk about that fight for years. And now she wants it. She's okay with it now.

She's gotten past the, I can't believe this just happened to me. I've won four in a row. But I mean, Carl is a good fighter. And if you gave her a title shot right now, I wouldn't complain. But to me, she needs one more win. And if you beat the boogie woman, there's no doubt about it. You're not a gatekeeper anymore like you say you are. You're the number one damn contender if you beat you on Ian Jacek.

Mike, you're making a lot of sense. I want to see the matchup. I think a lot of people want to see it. And I just don't want you to get hurt. Yeah. I just don't want you to get hurt. You're really fired up about it. And I think it's, but we've seen them, we've seen that there's the matchmaking can be somewhat capricious.

their nature. So I just want to brace you for that. I know. This fight makes more sense than literally any other fight in this division outside the title fight. But we know it's going to happen. But listen, we want to, I know AK waxed poetically on saying we're not turning the show over to you guys, but we do want you to be involved in the program. So we would like to hear your suggestions for top five fights you need to see, whether it be championship or non-championship, because there's so many to choose from obviously. So go ahead and hit this up on Twitter. He is at Alexander K. Lee. I'm at Mike Heck, underscore. J.R. A.K., I have to say, I am excited to get back to the Monday morning matchmaking next week,

talking the fallout of UFC Fight Island 7, Holloway versus Cater. What do you think? I'm ready. I'm ready. And I have to ask, are we also going to be doing some Thursday morning matchmaking with the mid-week card? Or are we going to try and stack, you know, make a longer show. It's weird. Or we could stack the Sunday show with matchups from Wednesday and the next Saturday show. You know what the beauty of Wednesday's card is, the 20th, is that the prelens for that card started 9 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. So we could do like, oh my God, we could do post-fight show. We could do on to the next one, record that.

Like, we could do so much. They could have it on to the next one later that night. We could do it live onto the next one on YouTube if we wanted to. This is just so much. This is unbelievable to think about. But yes. We're not making any promises, guys. We're not making any promises.

Much like the UFC, much like the concept. of this very show we just did today. We're just throwing stuff out. We're just throwing possibilities out there. Okay. Yes. So maybe. That is a possibility.

But I like it. I like where your heads are. I'd rather get it done. You know what I mean? Just get it out of the way. It's fresh and give the people what they want. But until then, for A.K.

I am Mikeak. Remember, do not take this too seriously. MMA is supposed to be fun. And we're going to have a lot of fun right here next week. Matchmaking. UFC Fight Island 7 on onto the next one. The podcast.