Mailbag: How can the UFC be as fun as Eddie Hall vs. Mariusz Pudzianowski? Plus, UFC Kansas City

Howdy, of us!

This previous weekend was an enormous one in MMA. Ian Machado Garry placed on a masterclass in opposition to Carlos Prates in the principle occasion of UFC Kansas Metropolis (after which held on for pricey life for the ultimate seven minutes), Anthony Smith made the stroll for the ultimate time, and, most significantly, Eddie Corridor and Mariusz Pudzianowski gave us the literal largest battle of the yr to date. So let’s speak about all of it.

Eddie Corridor vs. Mariusz Pudzianowski

“What potential matchup within the UFC, any weight class, would have even a slight likelihood of being as enjoyable as Mariusz Pudzianowski x Eddie Corridor?”

Enjoyable reply: none. Actual reply: solely a handful.

I don’t know if I used to be the primary individual to recommend it (most likely not), however from the second Eddie Corridor annihilated two dudes without delay in an MMA battle, I turned the loudest proponent of Corridor vs. Pudzianowski. I’ve a deep love and affinity for freakshow fights, and this was the perfect one to return round in years. And although it was brief, I might say the battle lived as much as the hype. Not less than, I’ve but to see a single one that paid the $20 to look at it complain. It was 30 seconds of very foolish, great nonsense, the type this sport is in determined want of.

And sadly, foolish nonsense isn’t the UFC’s enterprise. The UFC is at the moment strolling the horrible tightrope of being a “respectable” sport, whereas additionally being transparently un-meritocratic when it fits them. I’m not saying the UFC ought to go full Battle Circus, however embracing somewhat anarchy on occasion wouldn’t damage them. Alas, that’s to not be, and since we all know that received’t occur, that ties our palms for fantasy UFC matchmaking. Sure, Tom Aspinall vs. Brandon Moreno and Brandon Royval can be spectacularly enjoyable, but it surely additionally has a snowball’s likelihood in Hell of occurring. Listed below are some fights that may occur although, and probably will.

There are most likely just a few others that I’m lacking in there as a result of there are a very good chunk of enjoyable and thrilling fighters within the UFC, however you get the thought. You don’t wish to have freakshow fights each weekend, however mixing one in each couple of months makes them appointment viewing. And at this level, there’s little or no appointment viewing happening within the UFC.

Ian Machado Garry

“Does Garry get a title eliminator after this battle? Additionally, Jack Della Maddalena vs. Garry subsequent can be enjoyable. We want Shavkat vs. Belal Muhammad subsequent. (I anticipate Belal to dominate JDM).”

Right here’s the factor: the welterweight title image is as clear as mud proper now.

Underneath regular circumstances, Garry, coming off that nice efficiency in opposition to Prates, can be one battle away from a title shot. He’s already extremely ranked, he gave the No. 1 contender hell on brief discover, and he simply seems nice in opposition to the brand new hotness at 170. However these aren’t regular instances. In actual fact, the whole lot is totally jacked up proper now.

Maddalena might be the fifth most-deserving man for a title shot proper now, and but he’s going through Muhammad subsequent Saturday as a result of timing was on his aspect. However relying on how that battle goes, the whole lot can get thrown into chaos. If JDM wins, Islam Makhachev is all however a certainty to get the primary crack at him, leaving Shavkat out within the chilly. And if Belal wins, Shavkat may nonetheless be a sufferer of circumstance, as a result of a lot is going down whereas he’s on ice. Garry is now surging and going to be a backup fighter, Joaquin Buckley has a possibility to knockout Kamaru Usman, and Sean Brady simply obliterated Leon Edwards. Contenders are piling up at 170 kilos proper now.

If I needed to guess, I’d say Shavkat nonetheless has the within monitor for a title shot (assuming Belal beats JDM), that means Garry will get a No. 1 contender bout in opposition to both Brady or Buckley. But when Kamaru Usman beats Buckley, all bets are off. There’s nothing the present UFC loves greater than giving undeserved title pictures to former champions (see O’Malley, Sean).

Anthony Smith

“Look, I like Anthony Smith and he looks as if a very good dude however when dud he develop into a UFC legend?”

Concerning the time he refused to stop in opposition to Jon Jones, primarily throwing away his likelihood to be world champion and persevering with the Jones mythology, I assume.

I’ve plenty of respect for Anthony Smith. He’s a man who just isn’t particularly proficient and stumbled lots early in his profession, however by means of sheer drive of will, crafted a stable UFC run and parlayed that right into a media profession. That’s genuinely spectacular and galvanizing, and worthy of commendation. However hol-y have been they laying it on thick on the published on Saturday. If you happen to didn’t comply with MMA, you’d have thought some all-time nice was retiring, and that’s not remotely the case.

We will all be trustworthy about what stage of fighter Anthony Smith was: he was good however not nice, and he benefited massively from competing in two dangerous weight courses. Go take a look at his CV and inform me what’s his finest win? Washed Alexander Gustafsson? Washed Shogun Rua? Washed Rashad Evans? Trustworthy to God, it’s most likely Volkan Oezdemir, which is an efficient win, however we’re not out right here saying Nikita Krylov could be a Corridor of Famer. Anthony Smith must be recommended for what he was capable of accomplish and for a greater profession than most, however we will pump the brakes on the hagiography.

That being mentioned, I do want the UFC did extra issues like they did on Saturday. No, Smith isn’t an all-time nice fighter (or perhaps a one-time nice fighter, actually), however he hung round lengthy sufficient and giving him a sendoff was a pleasant hat tip to one of many sport’s nice overachievers.

And in addition, credit score to Smith. I liked his angle all battle week and on battle evening. “Lionheart” was dedicated to his retirement all through, went out giving a younger man a shot to maneuver up, and wasn’t bitter or greedy about something. Smith clearly was at peace together with his resolution to stroll away and approached the whole lot with the appropriate mentality. Very, only a few fighters have that stage of self-awareness, and I used to be completely satisfied to see him so completely satisfied whereas making the stroll for the ultimate time.

Zhang Mingyang

“Will we really know if Zhang is an efficient fighter? Or is he a product of sunshine heavyweight being horrible? Each? I like him lots however kinda assume he may really simply not be that good. Additionally, god, I wish to see Zhang battle Johnny Walker as a result of nobody dies higher than Johnny Walker.”

It’s most likely a little bit of each, however we actually don’t have any concept. Mild heavyweight is a dumpster hearth, and so it takes little or no expertise to crack into the High 15. What we do know is Zhang hits onerous, and he’s not a complete fool, however time will inform how good he really is.

And sure, I’ve mentioned many instances that Johnny Walker is without doubt one of the finest die-ers within the sport. That is good matchmaking.

UFC 317

“Which is extra ridiculous, that we nonetheless don’t have a headliner for UFC 317 Worldwide Battle Week or that they’re gonna let this Jon Jones debacle drag on for an additional yr?”

Neither is nice, however the Jones state of affairs is dramatically worse.

Not less than with the Worldwide Battle Week, we all know who’s most likely headlining. It’s going to be Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria, until Jack Della Maddalena upsets Belal Muhammad. Then it’s going to be Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira for the vacant/interim light-weight belt. So mainly, we’ll know what’s going to occur in two weeks, in some way.

As for the Jones stuff, it’s genuinely indefensible. The reality is, it’s been indefensible this complete time. The Stipe Miocic battle was a farce; everybody knew it was a farce, they usually did it anyway. If you happen to’re a champion, you defend in opposition to the No. 1 contender, and an interim champion is at all times the No. 1 contender. By any rational measure, Jon Jones’s heavyweight title run is a sham, and daily the UFC permits it to proceed is a slap within the face to Tom Aspinall and to you, the followers.

God keen, someday quickly they are going to put an finish to this nonsense and Jones will both battle Tom or hand over the belt and we will all transfer on.

Thanks for studying and because of everybody who despatched in tweets (Xs?)! Do you will have any burning questions on issues at the least considerably associated to fight sports activities? You then’re in luck as a result of you may ship your tweets to me, @JedKMeshew, and I’ll reply all the nice ones! It doesn’t matter in the event that they’re topical or insane, simply as long as they’re good. Thanks once more, and see y’all subsequent week.