17 MMA ideas, together with why the Cyborg-UFC feud wants to finish
It is Monday, time for an additional version of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Present, which airs reside beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Twitter and YouTube. After it ends, you’ll be able to hearken to the present by way of the ESPN podcast heart.
I hope you bought the fuzzy emotions of a Max Holloway battle week out of the best way, as a result of right here comes Colby-mania! That is proper, arguably MMA’s most polarizing fighter is lastly again this weekend in opposition to Robbie Lawler.
Covington hasn’t fought since June 2018, nevertheless it truthfully feels longer than that. He will deliver the warmth this week to make up for misplaced time, emotions be damned. I am curious to see the way it all performs out in Newark, New Jersey.
However first, listed here are some random ideas on the week that was in MMA:
The title image within the welterweight division ought to clear up when the UFC hits Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday. In the primary occasion, prime contender Colby Covington takes on former champion Robbie Lawler, with a title shot probably subsequent for Covington ought to he earn a victory. “Chaos” is on a six-fight win streak however hasn’t fought in over a 12 months. Lawler, in the meantime, hasn’t received within the Octagon in over two years.
UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Lawler
• Saturday, Newark, N.J.
• Prelims: ESPN, 12 p.m. ET
• Major card: ESPN, three p.m. ET
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1. I all the time really feel like I depart a Max Holloway battle week feeling good in regards to the state of MMA. And this specific one could not have come at a greater time. With the 2 tragic deaths in boxing earlier within the week, I would be mendacity if I did not admit I used to be feeling a little bit down on fight sports activities basically final week. It is arduous to see incidents like that after which simply rapidly flip one’s consideration to cage preventing. We have grow to be resistant to the violence and hazard that comes with preventing, however final week these harsh realities smacked us all proper within the face.
However you then get to Edmonton, Alberta, and also you see Holloway and his son, Rush, and also you see the best way each Holloway and Frankie Edgar conduct themselves, and also you’re instantly reminded why you’re keen on preventing a lot. Individuals like Holloway and Edgar make you be ok with this sport. I dare you to seek out somebody who says in any other case. They actually do characterize the most effective that preventing has to supply each out and in of the cage, and it is only a pleasure being round them main as much as a battle.
I do a phase each Monday known as “Ariel’s mensches of the week.” For individuals who do not know, a mensch is an outdated Yiddish time period that primarily means an individual of integrity and honor. I made a decision to start out highlighting MMA’s menschen (the precise plural of mensch) in January as a result of I felt there was an excessive amount of negativity on this sport. MMA is full of fantastic individuals, and I wished to do my small half in showcasing them.
Effectively, Holloway and Edgar are lifetime menschen. They’re two of the classiest, preferred fighters within the sport and that was on full show this previous week in Canada. Seeing each of them with their sons in Edmonton and the mutual respect between them was simply what the physician ordered.
After all, ultimately, Holloway received Saturday by way of unanimous determination. I assumed he received all 5 rounds. Some had been nearer than others, nevertheless it by no means felt like he was in any sort of hazard. He bounced again very properly from the loss to Dustin Poirier in April.
After which Holloway did one thing refined that I do not suppose too many individuals seen however which completely sums up why he’s so particular: As UFC commentator Joe Rogan was about to start out chatting with him for the customary postfight interview, Holloway appeared to inform Rogan to speak to Edgar first. To be clear, that not often occurs. He did not care about gloating or rubbing it in. He did not care about reminding all of the doubters that he is nonetheless the featherweight king. He simply wished to offer a legend the respect of talking first. I liked that second and just about every thing Holloway did and mentioned final week. Thanks for being you, Max.
1:10
Frankie Edgar admits it is arduous to soak up his loss to Max Holloway, however he felt he had one thing to show about being undersized. For extra UFC, enroll right here for ESPN+ http://plus.espn.com/ufc
2. On the flip facet, you need to really feel for Edgar. He is been trying to find that featherweight title for seven years and simply cannot recover from the hump. It was clear, as soon as once more, that he’s just a bit too small for 145. For no matter purpose, he has all the time appeared in opposition to the thought of shifting all the way down to bantamweight. I get the sense he thrives on being the smaller man in there. He likes being the underdog. It feels as if he views happening to bantamweight as a weak point on his half. But when he actually needs one other crack at a belt, I believe he ought to hearken to his head coach, Mark Henry, who was the primary to counsel years in the past that Edgar ought to transfer down. You would not need to see Edgar vs. Henry Cejudo? I would be focused on that (if he can win a pair at 135 first, in fact). Regardless, Edgar will endlessly go down as one of many easiest to compete within the UFC. His legacy is firmly intact, even when he by no means wins one other title.
three. I liked the truth that Alexander Volkanovski was in attendance Saturday night time. I nonetheless cannot imagine he traveled 37 hours to get there, however I believe it was crucial that he was there. Now the large query is, can Holloway be satisfied to show round on very quick discover to battle him at UFC 243 on Oct. 5 in Melbourne, Australia? I personally suppose that is an enormous ask. Holloway must begin his coaching camp very quickly, and that will imply 4 title fights for him in 10 months. It is unlucky as a result of Holloway vs. Volkanovski can be the proper co-main for that card beneath Robert Whittaker vs. Israel Adesanya. I would like to see it there. However I worry the timing simply does not work out, and if I am Group Holloway I am both asking for a large pay elevate to do it or countering with Dec. 14 as an alternative. Keep tuned.
Zero:52
Cris Cyborg rains down heavy blows throughout all three rounds en path to victory vs. Felicia Spencer. For extra UFC, enroll right here for ESPN+ http://plus.espn.com/ufc.
Four. In case you did not watch Cris Cyborg vs. Felicia Spencer and simply noticed the 30-27 scorecards, you in all probability are considering it wasn’t a really shut and/or entertaining battle. Mistaken. Very fallacious. I liked each second of that battle. From the unknown Spencer weathering the early Cyborg storm to Cyborg overcoming struggling her first reduce in a battle, it was excessive drama from the opening seconds. I’ve excessive hopes for Spencer. I believe she goes to have an incredible profession. Going into battle week, I used to be questioning if she was biting off a little bit greater than she might chew — in any case, she had solely seven professional MMA fights on her résumé in comparison with Cyborg’s 23 — however I had a sense she’d rise to the event as soon as I noticed her demeanor at media day on Thursday.
She stood in entrance of Cyborg together with her fingers on her hips, as if to say, “Come get some. I’m not scared.” I liked it. And the way about that chin? Holy smokes. Nobody takes pictures like that from Cyborg. I do not care if it is the 2019 or 2014 model of Cyborg — these had been arduous, clear pictures. Spencer ate ’em and by no means gave up. That is a type of basic fights the place each fighters’ inventory rose afterward.
5. Make no mistake about it, Cyborg fought an incredible battle. She rebounded properly from her first KO loss in December. And when you think about all of the drama surrounding the truth that this was the ultimate battle on her contract, I assumed she regarded nice in there. In case you do not suppose she regarded good, you are selecting to gloss over simply how powerful Spencer is.
6. Most fighters in Cyborg’s footwear would have mentioned afterward that they will cope with contract stuff later. However Cyborg and her staff have by no means been the type to shrink back from drama. So there she was, strolling round with a shirt that learn “Cyborg vs. Nunes coming Jan. 2020” instantly after the battle. Cyborg is about to grow to be some of the coveted free brokers within the historical past of MMA. I can see Bellator, Skilled Fighters League, ONE and Rizin all being very focused on her providers. So if I am the UFC brass, I’d have been thrilled to see her carrying that shirt. Meaning she needs to re-sign, proper? And but, why I do I really feel worse about her possibilities of returning after Saturday’s postfight media availability?
Good shirt, @criscyborg. pic.twitter.com/nKChzJ9YAe
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 28, 2019
First, the UFC tells her to take off that shirt earlier than going to the information convention. Why? She simply did a complete bunch of media, together with the official ESPN+ postfight present, whereas carrying it. Then Dana White doubles down on his stance that Cyborg did not need the Nunes rematch. He additionally provides that Cyborg appears to need solely simple fights at this stage of her profession. When has she ever mentioned any of this? What good does any of this do? Why not promote her to the moon? “She’s again! That rematch shall be unimaginable! We promise we are going to do every thing in our energy to get it performed!”
Is that so arduous? It simply appears like these two sides can by no means get on the identical web page. It has felt like a poorly thought-out organized marriage from the get-go, and truthfully, it is getting tiresome. Cyborg ought to have been celebrated Saturday night time. It was an inspiring victory, however that wasn’t the narrative afterward from the brass. Simply promote her or not. However the video games are an excessive amount of at this level. I am uninterested in it, and I am certain the followers are, too.
Newest from Dana White on state of affairs with Cyborg. I do not see this ending up with Cyborg again beneath UFC contract however we are going to see. I personally imagine Cris would battle Amanda once more, nevertheless it’s extra difficult than that if you’re speaking about signing a brand new deal. pic.twitter.com/WxDOVLSJ0D
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) July 28, 2019
7. It is arduous to hearken to Cyborg speak about feeling bullied and having her emotions damage over time. I do know she is being sincere about all of this as a result of I’ve talked to her about it on a number of events. I used to be there, previous to UFC 172, when jokes had been made that she regarded like Wanderlei Silva in a costume. I used to be embarrassed listening to that hateful rhetoric. I additionally suppose a part of the arduous emotions date again to her “feud” with Ronda Rousey, as properly. However at this level none of that issues. This is hoping if she does in truth re-sign with the UFC that she will be able to sit down and make amends with White as soon as and for all. Hey, I am all for a promoter vs. fighter feud. Everybody is aware of that. I liked Ben Askren vs. White. It made cash for each. However this one feels totally different. It feels uncomfortable. Both repair the connection as soon as and for all or transfer on.
Geoff Neal improved to Four-Zero within the UFC after stopping Niko Value on Saturday night time. Amber Bracken for ESPN
eight. As I discussed final week, UFC 240 was skinny on paper, however I assumed a number of different performances stood out: Geoff Neal, Hakeem Dawodu, Gillian Robertson, Gavin Tucker, Deiveson Figueiredo and Erik Koch all impressed me. I used to be significantly impressed with Neal, who improved his UFC report to Four-Zero and is likely one of the jewels of the up-and-coming Dallas-based health club Fortis MMA. Head coach Sayif Saud is doing an outstanding job of constructing younger expertise there. The outfit does not have contenders but, however it’s going to within the subsequent two years. Little doubt about that.
9. I’ve been down on the state of Canadian MMA for a short while now. I simply have not felt like there was any new expertise arising that might contend for a belt sooner or later. However after seeing how Spencer, Dawodu and Robertson fought Saturday, I believe the longer term is brighter than I would imagined.
10. One final time: In case you ever have a possibility to go to Edmonton’s Rogers Place, do your self a favor and go. It is a phenomenal area. Las Vegas’ T-Cell Enviornment needs it regarded like that.
2 Associated
11. I am numb to BJ Penn at this level. He has no enterprise being within the Octagon, however I additionally perceive that being in there helps hold his life so as. That mentioned, there needs to be a safer approach. I do not care who he’s terrorizing. Fights should not be considered as charity. That is very critical stuff.
I used to be speaking to somebody over the weekend who had by no means seen prime Penn. He had no thought how good Penn regarded round 10 years in the past when he was blowing by the light-weight division. Take into consideration that. There are individuals on the market who suppose Penn is a complete scrub who simply cannot win a battle. That is mind-blowing. And certain, preserving one’s legacy should not be a purpose to not battle. I get that. However there’s completely no curiosity from the fan base to see him compete in there anymore. Is not that what prizefighting is all about? In case you’re placing on fights nobody needs to see and your fan base is overtly rejecting it, what’s the level?
12. Glad to see James Vick has determined to maneuver as much as 170 kilos. That is a great transfer for him.
13. Mackenzie Dern gave delivery in Might. Her supervisor, Danny Rubenstein, advised me final week she’s hoping to return to motion in October. That is 5 months after giving delivery. Oh, and she or he’s additionally hoping to get cleared to battle at strawweight once more. I believe some individuals thought she’d take a protracted break after giving delivery, as a result of her dedication to the game has usually been questioned, however Dern is on the verge of proving lots of people fallacious.
14. Good transfer by Bellator so as to add Nick Newell to its card in Bridgeport, Connecticut, subsequent month. He’ll assist promote a ton of tickets. His deal is for one battle and he is on the prelims, however I do not see why a formidable efficiency will not get him one other shot within the group.
The very best insider within the sport, Ariel Helwani, and finest persona within the sport, Chael Sonnen, break down the MMA weekend and look forward to the largest playing cards.
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15. White mentioned Saturday night time that Corey Anderson is not subsequent for Jon Jones as a result of he has turned down too many fights. I assumed the UFC ought to have gone with Dominick Reyes vs. Jones subsequent, however Reyes was booked final week in opposition to Chris Weidman for Oct. 18. So who does that depart us with? Jan Blachowicz? Maybe. However one thing tells me the UFC will give Daniel Cormier the arduous promote after Aug. 17.
16. Bear in mind I wrote final week that PFL wanted to inject new life into its roster? Effectively, signing Brendan Loughnane is an efficient begin.
17. It has considerably flown beneath the radar, however Eddie Alvarez and Demetrious Johnson each return to motion for ONE Championship on Friday. I am curious to see how they each look, significantly Alvarez, who’s coming off a loss in his ONE debut. That card additionally options the promotional debut of former UFC heavyweight Arjan Bhullar. I had excessive hopes for Bhullar within the UFC, however he nonetheless appears a bit uncooked. ONE might be a great place for him to develop in the intervening time.
Monday’s Helwani Present lineup:
1 p.m. ET: Weekend recap
1:10 p.m.: Eric Koch
He’ll talk about choosing up his first victory in over three years in his welterweight debut at UFC 240.
1:25 p.m.: Geoff Neal
Neal will recap his thrilling win over Niko Value at UFC 240.
Hakeem Dawodu impressed at UFC 240 along with his knockout victory over Yoshinori Horie. Sergei Belski/USA TODAY Sports activities
1:45 p.m.: Hakeem Dawodu
He’ll talk about his huge victory over Yoshinori Horie at UFC 240.
2:05 p.m.: Gillian Robertson
Robertson will look again at her spectacular win over Sarah Frota this previous weekend.
2:25 p.m.: Nik Lentz
He’ll speak about his upcoming battle in opposition to BJ Penn.
2:45 p.m.: Freddie Prinze Jr.
The actor will talk about his love for MMA and his lengthy historical past in fight sports activities.
three:15 p.m.: Cris Cyborg
Cyborg will recap her huge win over Felicia Spencer and talk about her future with the UFC.
three:35 p.m.: Lou DiBella
The longtime boxing promoter will talk about a troublesome week in boxing and what will be performed sooner or later.
Four:00 p.m.: Robert Whittaker
The UFC middleweight champion will preview his UFC 243 battle in opposition to Israel Adesanya.