20 MMA ideas, together with why doubting Faber was a serious mistake

It is Monday, time for an additional version of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Present, which airs stay beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Twitter and YouTube. After it ends, you’ll be able to take heed to the present by way of the ESPN podcast heart.

4 of the world’s prime MMA promotions (UFC, Bellator, ONE, PFL) held occasions this weekend. Normally, I do not love this as a result of meaning some reveals are taking place on the similar time, however — would not you understand it — none of them overlapped this week. How about that?

All 4 reveals had notable moments, however none was larger than the triumphant return of Urijah Faber on Saturday night time in his hometown of Sacramento. I nonetheless cannot recover from that win. It may be my favourite second of the 12 months to date.

Now, is one other title shot in his future? That is still to be seen, but when I am being trustworthy, I do not actually care about that proper now.

Let’s simply respect the truth that MMA comebacks, particularly when the fighter is in his or her 40s, are sometimes actually unhappy to observe. What Faber did this weekend does not occur usually. I hope you loved it as a lot as I did.

Listed here are some extra ideas on the week that was and to come back:

Saturday’s UFC Combat Night time card in San Antonio will characteristic two welterweights aiming to get into the title image and the subsequent check for ex-NFL star Greg Hardy. Rafael Dos Anjos, who snapped a two-fight skid in Could, and Leon Edwards, a winner of seven straight bouts, will meet in the primary occasion. Hardy additionally might be on the primary card as he takes on Juan Adams.

UFC Combat Night time: Dos Anjos vs. Edwards
• Saturday, San Antonio
• Prelims: ESPN 6 p.m. ET
• Principal card: ESPN 9 p.m. ET

Subscribe to ESPN+ to get unique stay UFC occasions, weigh-ins and extra; Ariel and the Unhealthy Man; Dana White’s Contender Collection; and extra unique MMA content material.

1. You may recall I hated the Urijah Faber vs. Ricky Simon reserving when it was first introduced. I believed Simon was too robust, too younger and too recent for the 40-year-old Faber. It is not that I did not assume Faber might beat Simon, I simply did not perceive why the struggle wanted to occur. The oddsmakers appeared to agree, as a result of Faber was a plus-320 underdog final I checked. I stated this all to Faber when he was on the present not too long ago. In fact, he did not agree. That is what makes him a fighter.

Nicely, I ought to have recognized higher, and that is the final time I’ll ever query “The California Dad.”

I believed Faber had a shot at successful, however I positively did not see a 46-second TKO coming. I’ve no downside admitting I’ve a delicate spot in my coronary heart for Faber. He is a pioneer and a trailblazer and has all the time been a pleasure to cowl. He is an incredible man who occurs to be my mother’s favourite fighter, as effectively. He was additionally the primary and final visitor to look on “The MMA Hour” throughout my nine-year run as host. Therefore the delicate spot. So I used to be actually blissful to see him get that second in Sacramento. As I stated all week lengthy, there are few scenes larger in our sport than a Faber struggle in Sactown. That one felt just like the outdated WEC days, minus the blue mat. It was magical.

2. OK, high-quality, let’s discuss what’s subsequent: I do know Faber talked about Henry Cejudo, and their Twitter forwards and backwards has been enjoyable, however I feel that may be a tad untimely. There is a good story to be advised at some point, although, if it involves fruition. Cejudo skilled at Crew Alpha Male for a short time after he gained Olympic gold in 2008 and whereas he was contemplating the transfer to MMA. Cejudo has additionally talked about Faber not too long ago, however he is out for the remainder of the 12 months nursing his surgically repaired shoulder, and Aljamain Sterling, Petr Yan and Joseph Benavidez have all earned their crack at him. Such is the life whenever you’re a double champion. Nevertheless, yet another win for Faber and I would not be shocked if he will get that shot. One thing additionally tells me Faber, who has three fights left on his deal, will need to be energetic to struggle out his contract. He sees these big-money offers different legends are getting and he is able to money in. Deservedly so.

three. I do know Faber’s nemesis, TJ Dillashaw, might be out for the subsequent 12 months and a half serving his suspension, however I would be mendacity if I did not admit I instantly considered that struggle after Faber’s win. What a large grudge match that will be in Dillashaw’s first struggle again. Saturday’s win bought us one step nearer to that one, too.

Germaine de Randamie, left, floored Aspen Ladd, proper, with a proper hand early within the first spherical this previous Saturday night time, however ought to their struggle have been stopped? AP Picture/Jeff Chiu

Four. Referee Herb Dean’s choice to cease the primary occasion when he did was unlucky on two fronts: (A) It was untimely. I’ve but to see a single individual say it was the proper name. Was it egregious? Not likely, however Aspen Ladd was by no means totally out and will have been given extra time to defend herself. She was dazed however not out. (B) It overshadowed what ought to have been an enormous second for Germaine de Randamie, and, let’s be trustworthy, she desperately wanted a optimistic second to assist distance herself from that nightmare in 2017 (you understand, when she beat Holly Holm in controversial vogue after which vacated the title moderately than defend it in opposition to Cris Cyborg).

The choice to cease the struggle should not take something away from what de Randamie did in there, however I do know it can. I see it already. Lest we neglect, the Dutchwoman is among the biggest strikers in ladies’s MMA historical past. They used to name her “the feminine Anderson Silva.” She additionally hasn’t misplaced a struggle since her 2013 loss to Amanda Nunes, so there’s an incredible backstory if she does get the subsequent title shot at 135. As for whether or not she’ll get that rematch, I feel we have to wait and see what occurs when Cyborg meets Felicia Spencer in a few weeks. If Cyborg wins and re-signs with the UFC (no gimme, I do know), I feel the UFC will e book Nunes vs. Cyborg 2 at 145 kilos. That is the largest struggle out there. If Spencer wins, GDR might need a stable shot. Both approach, GDR seems to be subsequent or one win away from preventing for gold once more, and I feel it is time we transfer on from her forgettable 2017.

5. We’ll by no means know for positive, however I ponder how Ladd’s scary weigh-in scene affected her capacity to take that punch. That was actually laborious to observe. Or whether or not Dean was fast to leap in due to what occurred on the dimensions. Regardless, I would prefer to see her check the waters at 145. She seems to have approach an excessive amount of bother making 135. We have seen a slew of fighters get pleasure from nice success preventing nearer to their pure weight as of late, so why not give it a shot? Ladd is simply 24 years younger. She can be very gifted. I imagine she is going to struggle for a belt earlier than her profession is over. Why proceed to battle making weight when 145 is on the market and is as shallow as might be proper now? Give it a shot, Aspen. I think you will prefer it up there.

6. Good to see Josh Emmett get pleasure from success this 12 months. I used to be afraid he must retire after the devastating facial accidents he suffered in February 2018 throughout his controversial loss to Jeremy Stephens. That is two stable wins in a row versus two robust opponents in Mirsad Bektić and Michael Johnson. I would prefer to see him struggle somebody reminiscent of Chan Sung Jung or Arnold Allen subsequent.

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7. I truthfully do not perceive how folks do not get pleasure from watching Ryan Corridor compete. I genuinely love each minute of his fights. They’re completely different and enjoyable. I am captivated all the time. You want Ryan Halls in your roster, and I want folks would respect him extra. By the best way, he has now gained eight in a row and 4 straight within the UFC. The outcomes communicate for themselves. Embrace the oddity, my associates. Completely different is sweet. Plus, these facial expressions are gold.

eight. The Y’all Should’ve Forgot Award of the night time has to go to Julianna Peña. Appears like we had not seen her struggle in ages (2½ years, to be precise), and it was enjoyable to see her get a win in her first struggle since changing into a mom. Was it a grind? Certain. She is totally conscious that her fights are considerably ugly, however she will get the job completed. And she or he’s now 5-1 within the UFC, together with her lone loss coming in opposition to Valentina Shevchenko. If Nunes fights GDR or the Cyborg-Spencer winner subsequent, I would prefer to see her struggle Ketlen Vieira.

9. Northern California’s Brianna Van Buren is a reputation to recollect at 115. I advised you after she gained the Invicta one-night strawweight event that Daniel Cormier could be very excessive on her. You possibly can see why, proper? Her hometown of Gilroy, California, has lengthy been referred to as the Garlic Capital of the World, but it surely’s additionally beginning to develop a popularity for producing some robust fighters, too.

10. I misplaced rely of how many individuals wished to speak to me about Jorge Masvidal-Ben Askren final week. It has been some time since I observed a non-Conor McGregor struggle generate a lot chatter exterior the MMA bubble. It looks like Masvidal has now reached that Nate Diaz-like territory, particularly following his look on The Dan Le Batard Present.

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Jorge Masvidal says if a title struggle vs. Kamaru Usman is not coming subsequent, he needs Conor McGregor as a result of he sees greenback indicators throughout his face.

This makes me assume he’d really be the proper subsequent struggle for McGregor if the UFC decides in opposition to giving him a title shot subsequent. Think about McGregor vs. Masvidal in NYC. Drawback is, I do not assume Masvidal has any curiosity in taking place to 155 as of late. However maybe he’ll do it for McGregor? One thing tells me he would. In fact, each matchup is smart for McGregor as of late, but it surely is a bit more enjoyable when he has a foil who’s prepared to push again. Masvidal is that man.

11. One other nice win for Julia Budd, the Bellator ladies’s featherweight champion, on Friday night time, which improved her document to 13-2 (her solely two losses: Amanda Nunes and Ronda Rousey in 2011). Nonetheless, it looks like she does not get talked about sufficient when folks focus on one of the best present feminine fighters on the market. Why is that? I am unsure, however I do know Bellator must do a present in British Columbia headlined by B.C. natives Rory MacDonald and Budd ASAP. What are they ready for?

12. Daniel Cormier gained the ESPY for greatest MMA fighter final week. He is not the primary MMA fighter to win an ESPY, however the nod represented justice for Cormier. In case you did not know, the ESPYS are voted by followers. So to see Cormier, who not that way back felt the followers would by no means cheer for him, get an award like that proved simply how far he is come. Cormier is among the greatest and most likable fighters this sport has ever seen. I by no means understood how anybody might boo him. It is good to see that individuals are lastly appreciating him.

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Kayla Harrison is in management all through all the first spherical and delivers massive punches to Morgan Frier’s face. For extra PFL, join ESPN+ http://www.espn.com/watch/espnplus

13. The eventual Kayla Harrison vs. Sarah Kaufman event ultimate struggle in December goes to be nice. (And sure, I do know they nonetheless need to get by their semifinal opponents). Regardless of her MMA inexperience, I am leaning towards Harrison in that one due to her power and dominance. That ought to shut the present Dec. 31.

14. You know the way some fighters retire however you might have a sense they are going to be again sooner or later? I do not get that feeling from Chad Mendes. I’ve heard from loads of folks near him that he simply does not get pleasure from preventing anymore. No downside with that. He had an incredible run. Fairly frankly, I am shocked he by no means gained a title in both the WEC or UFC. Of all of the Crew Alpha Male merchandise, I believed he’d for positive put on gold sooner or later. Sadly for him, he fought within the Jose Aldo /Conor McGregor period. And whereas his optimistic drug check will eternally be part of his legacy, I imagine he deserves some credit score for popping out and admitting his mistake straight away.

15. The identical might be stated for Gilbert Melendez, who appeared to say he was completed preventing final week however stopped simply in need of utilizing the R phrase. I requested Melendez why he was obscure in his assertion, and he stated he could not promise he’ll by no means struggle once more. Honest sufficient. Like Mendes, Melendez does have a PED infraction on his résumé, but additionally like Mendes, Melendez confronted the misstep head on. Identical to Mendes, I do not assume that lapse in judgment ought to outline his profession.

“El Nino” is among the all-time nice light-weight fighters and, in case you ask me, deserved to win the UFC light-weight title in 2012 when he fought Benson Henderson. He is additionally an incredible colleague. I get pleasure from working with Melendez very a lot. Enjoyable truth: The primary MMA article I used to be paid to jot down was a Gilbert Melendez characteristic in late 2006 for The Combat Community. Good instances. If that is actually it, congrats on an incredible run, Gilbert.

16. I used to be going to jot down that I really feel just like the Kron Gracie vs. Cub Swanson struggle on Oct. 12 is just a little too quickly for Gracie, particularly contemplating Swanson’s placing. However after whiffing on Faber vs. Simon, I will preserve my mouth shut on that one.

One of the best insider within the sport, Ariel Helwani, and greatest persona within the sport, Chael Sonnen, break down the MMA weekend and look forward to the largest playing cards.
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17. I nonetheless cannot imagine Thiago Santos fought that effectively in opposition to Jon Jones with a torn ACL, MCL, PCL and meniscus. Some of the brave performances in a title struggle we have ever seen.

18. UFC is again this weekend with a present in San Antonio headlined by Leon Edwards vs. Rafael dos Anjos. That is a very good and vital welterweight struggle. I assume I should not be shocked it is flying underneath the radar as a result of that just about sums up Edwards’ profession to this point. Perhaps it is as a result of it looks like a top-contender struggle, however we do not actually know what’s at stake? Truthfully, I am unsure what the winner will get, what with the logjam at 170 as of late, but it surely’s actually value taking note of.

19. I am very to see how Dan Hooker and Alex Hernandez rebound Saturday night time coming off two robust losses, respectively. I nonetheless imagine each have shiny futures at 155, however robust performances are wanted this weekend.

20. There isn’t any query Juan Adams represents the hardest struggle of Greg Hardy’s younger profession. Hardy has additionally not but confronted a fighter who will poke at his checkered previous, which is one thing Adams has and can proceed to do. Curious to see how Hardy handles each these challenges this week.

Monday’s Helwani Present lineup:

1 p.m. ET: Weekend recap

1:05 p.m.: Andre Fili

He’ll look again at his thrilling win over Sheymon Moraes this weekend.

Ryan Corridor’s distinctive offensive assault helped him defeat Darren Elkins this previous Saturday and enhance to Four-Zero within the UFC. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Getty Photographs

1:25 p.m.: Ryan Corridor

Corridor will focus on his victory over Darren Elkins on Saturday.

1:45 p.m.: Alex Hernandez

He’ll preview his UFC San Antonio struggle in opposition to Francisco Trinaldo.

2:05 p.m.: Scott Coker

The Bellator president will share some upcoming information concerning the promotion.

2:25 p.m.: Tito Ortiz

He’ll look forward to his Combate Americas struggle in opposition to Alberto del Rio.

2:45 p.m.: Germaine de Randamie

She is going to focus on her win over Aspen Ladd on Saturday night time.

three:05 p.m.: Julianna Peña

Peña will look again at her victory over Nicco Montaño this previous weekend.

three:25 p.m.: Urijah Faber

He’ll recap his unimaginable win over Ricky Simon and focus on what’s subsequent for him.

three:45 p.m.: Valentina Shevchenko

The UFC ladies’s flyweight champ will preview her Aug. 10 most important occasion struggle in opposition to Liz Carmouche.

Four p.m.: Greg Hardy

He’ll preview this weekend’s struggle in opposition to Juan Adams.