Alexandre Pantoja won’t be the UFC’s No. 1 alternative for a important occasion, however that’s the spot he finds himself in once more.
For the second time in 2024, the reigning flyweight champion has been referred to as upon to shut out a pay-per-view, and once more, it’s towards an unlikely challenger. This Saturday’s UFC 310 headliner sees Pantoja tackle harmful newcomer Kai Asakura, a star from Japan’s RIZIN promotion.
Pantoja beat Steve Erceg in the primary occasion of UFC 301 this previous Might, a bout that was seemingly put collectively simply so the promotion may have a Brazilian atop the Rio de Janeiro card. Whatever the circumstances, Pantoja delivered as he has time and time once more, and he can put himself in place for a good larger 2025 if he will get previous Asakura.
However what would the subsequent problem be for Pantoja, the No. 4 fighter within the MMA Combating Pound-for-Pound Rankings? Alexander Okay. Lee, Mike Heck, and Jed Meshew acquired collectively to determine what 2025 would possibly maintain for Pantoja, and which different fighters on the UFC 310 lineup can set themselves up for fulfillment within the new yr.
1. Alexandre Pantoja fights _____ subsequent if he beats Kai Asakura.
Lee: Pantoja has a troublesome take a look at forward and there are nonetheless a number of items in movement at 125, however when the mud settles, it’s Asu Almabayev who shall be standing throughout from him subsequent.
Almabayev is one win away from a sure-fire title shot, one thing I count on him to maintain within the first quarter of 2025. If Pantoja can afford to attend, he ought to, as a result of there’s a recent batch of challengers ready for him, with Almabayev on the forefront. With respect to the likes of Tatsuro Taira, Bruno “Bulldog” Silva, and (shockingly) Charles Johnson, I see Almabayev because the cream of the contender crop.
It doesn’t get any simpler for Pantoja and there aren’t any massive names within the division to immediately vault him up the P4P chart, but when he retains stringing collectively title defenses towards a energetic group of flyweight challengers, don’t be stunned if he makes the present Huge 3 of Islam Makhachev, Alex Pereira, and Ilia Topuria, a Huge 4.
Heck: The winner of the must-be-booked Brandon vs. Brandon trilogy combat for the title shot, and to maintain the title endlessly.
I child on the latter gimmick, however Brandon Moreno vs. Brandon Royval 3 is the combat to make for the division, in my view, and whoever will get their hand raised ought to get subsequent towards Pantoja ought to he defeat the very enjoyable and harmful Asakura.
Certain, we love recent matchups, however Pantoja-Moreno 3 was the most effective fights of 2023, and in all probability the most effective flyweight title combat in UFC historical past. I’d like to see it once more. And if it’s Royval getting one other crack at it, you’ll hear completely no complaints from me.
Meshew: Let’s get spicy! If Pants beats Asakura, his subsequent opponent shall be … Muhammad Mokaev!
“Jed, no! That’s not possible! Mokaev isn’t even within the UFC anymore! The promotion let him stroll after a boring efficiency and being a nuisance exterior of the cage!”
If there’s one factor we’ve realized within the combat recreation it’s that Dana White and firm do and say many issues, and none of them are chiseled in stone. Prefer it or not, Mokaev is likely one of the highest fighters on the earth at flyweight, and he’s nonetheless solely 24 years outdated. The UFC isn’t within the enterprise of passing on supremely proficient younger fighters, particularly when they’re open about doing something to combat within the UFC (Mokaev provided to combat at no cost, in the event you’ll bear in mind).
Mokaev has a combat at BRAVE CF later this month and I believe after he wins, the UFC goes to come back calling as soon as once more. They’ll deal with this complete factor like a timeout, instilling an essential lesson onto Mokaev about attempting to combat somebody in actual life however then in no way attempting to combat them once you’re within the cage, and “The Punisher” (a really hilarious title in the event you’ve ever seen him combat) shall be proper again within the combine.
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2. The place does Ian Machado Garry rank with an upset win over Shavkat Rakhmonov?
Heck: Contemplating I’ve Shavkat as my No. 1 welterweight at the moment, Garry must transfer to that spot, or at worst No. 2, but it surely’ll rely upon the efficiency, actually.
I’ve had Shavkat within the prime spot for fairly a while, and though I believe Belal Muhammad is perhaps the hardest combat within the division for him, I might decide Rakhmonov comfortably if that combat will get rebooked. a doable Muhammad vs. Garry combat, at this second — except Garry completely drums up Rakhmonov in unbelievable trend — I’d in all probability lean with the champ to get it carried out primarily based on the ability units of every fighter.
Whereas I believe Garry is extremely proficient, and can seemingly put on the UFC title some day, I don’t love his probabilities on Saturday.
Meshew: Someplace between No. 1 and No. 3, relying on what it seems like.
I at the moment have Shavkat as my No. 1 welterweight as a result of he’s 18-0 with all finishes, and he’s crushed numerous nice fighters. Garry can be undefeated however a few of his wins have been rather less definitive, and so if he ekes out an in depth one over Shavkat, the physique of labor received’t be fairly nearly as good as Belal Muhammad or Leon Edwards. But when he wins emphatically? Possibly that’s sufficient to juice him as much as the No. 1 spot.
However even when Garry loses, his ceiling continues to be fairly excessive. I do know individuals are out on him as a result of he will be off-putting personally, however the younger man has a ton of expertise, and I consider he’ll combat for a title in some unspecified time in the future.
Lee: I’ve been prepared to tug the set off on bumping Garry up the rankings for some time, although unusually I’ve him ranked lowest among the many MMA Combating voting panel. He’s as excessive as No. 5 on our ballots, whereas I’ve him all the best way down at No. 10.
That’s in all probability too conservative of an analysis of what the undefeated Irishman has carried out as he’s fared nicely towards ranked competitors although he didn’t blow the doorways off towards Michael Web page, Geoff Neal, nor Neil Magny. However he’s ably stepped as much as the subsequent degree of competitors, holding his zero intact and navigating his profession about in addition to you may underneath the UFC umbrella. Now, he’s booked a matchup with the closely favored Rakhmonov and, to be frank, till now I hadn’t even thought of the place to put Garry ought to he rating the upset.
I believe that feat makes him No. 3, behind solely the champ Muhammad and former champ Edwards. Beating the division’s boogeyman would possibly benefit consideration for the highest spot, however for me, simply seeing the oft-mocked Garry attain that loft spot could be stunning sufficient.
3. What preliminary bout needs to be on the primary card as an alternative of Bryce Mitchell vs. Kron Gracie?
Lee: Let’s go along with a fighter that was clearly presupposed to be on the primary card.
Sure, Vicente Luque was the B-side to the regrettable Nick Diaz matchup (please, don’t re-book this once more), however simply because Diaz is now not a part of the equation doesn’t imply Luque ought to simply lose his spot. Luque has been one of many UFC’s finest troopers for a decade, taking over the hardest competitors and delivering spotlight after spotlight with out ever rocking the boat. That must be price one thing.
It’s not like his alternative opponent is a no person. Themba Gorimbo’s “I’m buddies with The Rock” is likely one of the finest gimmicks going within the UFC, and he’s made a reputation for himself with little assist from the promotion. They need to be pushing him extra, not relegating him to the prelims. Even when he loses, Gorimbo is the type of athlete numerous followers can get behind.
The Gracie title clearly carries numerous weight, therefore Kron’s placement, however grinders like Luque and Gorimbo are getting the shaft right here.
Heck: Choose a combat out of a hat and also you’ll be capable of make a case. Clearly, there’s a little bit of sarcasm, however most of those prelim fights would have a compelling case to get the pay-per-view remedy, and I really feel fairly comfy saying that.
Initially, this is perhaps essentially the most random matchup the UFC has made up to now decade. It actually makes zero sense. Mitchell has misplaced two of three—clearly, shedding to one of many three finest fighters on the planet is nothing to shake a stick at—was on the receiving finish of one of many scariest knockouts I’ver ever seen, and squeaked by Dan Ige in a combat I scored for Ige watching stay. He’s a ranked fighter with a little bit of a reputation, and could be an ideal opponent for the Jean Silvas, Chepe Mariscals, and Youssef Zalals of the world, guys who’re getting good wins and displaying top-15 potential. Kron Gracie appeared completely horrible in his final combat towards a man who was perhaps within the top-35 within the division. That’s simply the reality of the matter.
Not solely is it nonsensical matchmaking, however giving Gracie a important card combat on the APEX appears to be a bridge too far proper now. To reward him with this matchup, and card placement after what he confirmed within the Charles Jourdain combat is wild. Possibly he’s turned the nook, and perhaps this finally ends up being a show-stealer, and whether it is, I’ll fortunately comply with by way of with proverbial hand up accountability. Wouldn’t be the primary time, actually received’t be the final.
Having stated that, the truth that this combat will get greater billing than one in the identical division with legit title implications is ridiculous. Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling deserves the spot, plain and easy. The Nate Landwehr vs. Doo Ho Choi combat goes to be a automotive crash, and we all know why that’s on the primary card, so even if you wish to play the, “Nicely, Dana White referred to as Evloev boring, and Sterling is boring, too” card (I’ve seen this stated many instances on social media), it shouldn’t matter. There’s simply no denying Evloev-Sterling is a higher-level combat, and if we’re going to observe a 145-pound matchup that would get a little bit bizarre on pay-per-view, I’d favor it to have excessive stakes, in comparison with only a few.
Meshew: So Mr. Heck makes the clear and apparent case {that a} title eliminator bout deserves to be on the primary card, which is tough to argue. However argue I shall as a result of, spoiler alert, the UFC acquired it proper!
Might you place Evloev vs. Sterling, or Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes, and even Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders on the primary card? Actually. However the place’s the enjoyable in that? What are these fights actually for? Win bonuses and private pleasure, the identical as each different combat. Nay, we reject such widespread concepts and as an alternative we aspire to one thing extra.
Mitchell vs. Gracie is kind of presumably a very powerful combat of the trendy period. We venerate the good males of historical past like Alexander the Nice and Julius Caesar and Marcus Aurelius as a result of they have been warrior poets, thinker kings. And the battle between Mitchell and Gracie is probably the primary time in historical past two such males will conflict contained in the octagon.
Solely Mitchell and Gracie have the knowledge and humility to forged off centuries of “scientific consensus” and “primary rational thought” to acknowledge the Earth for what it’s: a flat disc using on the again of a turtle in outer area. Whereas some would possibly mock Mitchell and Gracie as credulous buffoons, too gullible to be trusted with sharp objects, these individuals are the true fools and a part of the bigger conspiracy by Huge Globe to maintain their gross sales numbers up.
Fortuitously, the UFC sees how completely important it’s to provide these two visionaries the most important platform doable and a stay microphone to allow them to share their message with the world (discover how I didn’t say “round” the world?). And you’ll deny the individuals this once-in-a-lifetime alternative so Evloev can say one thing banal about Ilia Topuria ducking him?
Disgrace on you, sheeple.
