Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week’s panel of Farah Hannoun, Brian “Goze” Garcia and Danny Segura will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate:
- Justin Gaethje won the “BMF” title in the UFC 291 main event Saturday with a stunning head kick knockout of fellow former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier. He quickly got a callout from Conor McGregor, who implied he’d skip the Michael Chandler fight he’s supposed to have for one with Gaethje. And then there’s the matter of a possible title shot. So what should be next for “The Highlight” who continuously proves he’s the embodiment of his nickname when he’s in the cage?
- Just as impressive as Gaethje’s knockout was, it was just as devastating for Poirier – though the Louisiana native said after the loss it was hard, but just a loss. He’ll be set back in the title picture now – and might even contemplate hanging up his gloves. We’ll try to lay a roadmap for his possible future.
- After Alex Pereira lost the middleweight title back to Israel Adesanya, he moved up to light heavyweight Saturday for the first time at UFC 291 and had a victorious divisional debut with a split decision against former 205-pound champion Jan Blachowicz. The title is vacant – again – at light heavyweight. Should Pereira be one of the two who eventually fights for the vacant belt?
- Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Derrick Lewis hasn’t had the easiest run lately, but at UFC 291, he looked like the Lewis of old. He tore through Marcos Rogerio de Lima in a little more than 30 seconds – and started his barrage with a flying knee, of all things, that landed just a couple seconds into the fight. But Lewis said his contract is up, and he’s ready to look around. Should he stay with the UFC or go elsewhere?
- Two-time UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson never has missed weight in his career. But this past Friday, his opponent, Michel Pereira, was off by 3 pounds on the scale at UFC 291. Even though Thompson already had made weight, he chose to not accept the fight with Pereira at a different weight and said he learned his lesson the hard way when he lost to Darren Till after Till missed weight a few years ago. Thompson may have the financial means to sit one out, but other fighters aren’t in the same position – and there’s little that is equitable about how the UFC handles on weight issue to the next. But we’ll explore the fallout that might come from what “Wonderboy” chose to do in Salt Lake City.
- Plus, we’ll hit on Saturday’s Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz boxing match, Michael Bisping’s claim about Jon Jones, Tony Ferguson’s sixth straight loss and more.
