Mailbag: Max Holloway vs. Nate Diaz, Jon Jones wanting 6 months, and the best names in MMA

Properly, UFC Vegas 104 is within the books and …. yeah, we don’t even have to hassle. It was extra enjoyable than it might have been however we aren’t going to be speaking about that one once more anytime quickly. And whereas UFC London this weekend is unquestionably higher on paper, it’s nonetheless not essentially the most thrilling factor going.

So this week we opened up the inquiries to no matter tickled your fancy, which suggests we’re occurring a journey, of us. Buckle up.

Max Holloway vs. Nate Diaz

Max Holloway v Nate Diaz has been floated by some however has seemingly obtained vital pushback with the web neighborhood. Is there any draw back to creating this struggle? I battle to see one.

I’m type of with you on this one. Don’t get me incorrect, this isn’t the struggle I’d select to make for both man, however I don’t actually see the draw back both. The present “BMF” champion (for no matter that’s price) in opposition to the creator of the title is a enjoyable storyline, and given how beloved each are, individuals would line as much as see this one. The one draw back I see is that Max is a featherweight-turned-lightweight, and I’m probably not certain Nate could make 155 anymore.

If I had my druthers, Max would rematch Charles Oliveira, and Nate would do the trilogy with Conor McGregor, but when this ended up occurring, I’d be wonderful with it.

UFC Vegas 104

Examine the Dolidze/Vettori 2 card on paper to the Emmett/Murphy card on paper.

I lied. Apparently we are going to discuss UFC Vegas 104 for a second.

I stated this heading into final weekend’s occasion and stand by it: UFC Vegas 104 was the worst on-paper card in since COVID. A minimum of till UFC Vegas 105.

The UFC’s subsequent journey to the APEX has a significantly better most important occasion than the Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze rematch (Josh Emmett vs. Lerone Murphy is sick) however the remainder of it’s … nicely, it’s not good. Some good prospects and a few first rate matchups, however like with this weekend, nothing we’ll discuss ever once more after the occasion is over.

That’s turning into a theme with UFC playing cards in 2025.

The light-weight division

Do lightweights rock as a result of it’s the glory division of MMA and persons are extra more likely to attempt to make their our bodies match within the weight class? Or is it one thing extra about common physiology inflicting extra individuals to only be that dimension, so naturally there can be extra expertise?

There is perhaps a bit about it being a glamor division and thus attracting extra individuals, however primarily it’s the latter. It’s a easy numbers sport and a majority of individuals extra naturally fall into the 155-pound class. On high of that, 155 kilos (or, extra precisely, 175 kilos strolling round weight) shouldn’t be as aggressive as different sizes for athletes. One of many causes the heavyweight and lightweight heavyweight divisions are so dangerous is, should you’re a naturally larger particular person, you’re most likely taking part in different sports activities that pay higher and/or contain much less mind harm. Soccer isn’t stealing too many 170-pounders from MMA, so extra can come over.

That is additionally why flyweight is as skinny as it’s (there are fewer individuals all over the world) however typically has a excessive stage of expertise: as a result of the place else are athletic dudes who weight 130 kilos going to pursue sports activities?

Yay for statistics.

Robert Whittaker

Robert Whittaker is speaking about shifting as much as mild heavyweight. Gentle heavyweight is mostly not excellent. Regardless of being undersized, how far can Robert go there?

Talking of dangerous weight lessons!

Gentle heavyweight is an abomination of a weight class and the one motive we don’t discuss how dangerous it’s extra typically is as a result of heavyweight is so moribund (plus Alex Pereira is enjoyable, and that makes individuals neglect). However I’m very uncertain that Whittaker will make headway there.

My concern with Whittaker isn’t simply his dimension, however his decline. I feel “Bobby Knuckles” seems to fairly clearly be on the again 9 of his profession and that’s often not the perfect time to attempt one thing new. Now Whittaker shall be undersized — by an enormous quantity in some cases — and never bringing his A sport. May not go nicely.

Jon Jones

Will we ever see John Jones struggle Tom Aspinall?

No. And we received’t see Jon Jones struggle him both.

Jon Jones half 2

How do you are feeling about Jon Jones allegedly demanding a minimal of 6 months after the struggle is signed to organize to struggle Tom Aspinall?

He’s completely inside his proper to need that. But when it wasn’t obvious earlier than even essentially the most ardent of believers have to just accept the reality for what it’s: Jon Jones doesn’t need to struggle Tom Aspinall.

For Jon, it’s a matter of danger vs. reward. If he fights and loses, the whole thing of the identification he’s constructed for himself because the GOAT abruptly falters, as a result of individuals will see him defeated. And if he wins, nicely that’s simply one other win (that is incorrect, truly, and a win over Aspinall can be the crowning achievement of his profession, however that’s one other dialogue). Why would he do it?

Jon shouldn’t be going to struggle Tom until the UFC pays him infinity {dollars}, and the UFC isn’t going to pay him anyplace near that as a result of they don’t need to. That is two immovable objects locked in a sport of hen, and since Jon is the fighter, he should blink first.

The decision for six months is Jon merely attempting to increase this factor out so long as he can within the hopes that Dana White caves and meets his quantity. He received’t and I want we’d simply finish this farce and transfer on.

Merab Dvalishvili

For those who needed to put $100 for somebody to beat Merab at bantamweight who would it not be and why? (Previous OR Current)

Straightforward. Within the current, Umar Nurmagomedov. Previously, T.J. Dillashaw.

I do know Umar simply misplaced to Merab, and in the event that they fought once more this yr, I’d choose Merab to win once more. However Umar did make Merab work, and he’s nonetheless on the rise. In a yr or two, he’s nonetheless the perfect guess to get the factor carried out.

So far as previous, Dillashaw is the plain reply. Folks hate T.J. now due to the EPO, however prime Dillashaw is the perfect bantamweight I’ve ever seen compete. He’s an elite wrestler, has distinctive cardio, and vastly superior hanging to Merab. The one motive I’m not assured prime T.J. would dogwalk Merab is as a result of, nicely, Merab retains dummying individuals. Nonetheless, I’d guess Dillashaw with confidence.

Oh, and naturally should you’re going to permit prime Jose Aldo to drop to 135 sooner than he finally does, he’s the plain selection.

Comedy

Some fighters are intrinsically humorous characters, like Sage Northcutt naively approaching each expertise with surprise, or how any emotion apart from anger confuses Cody Garbandt, which makes him indignant. Is there anybody who isn’t previous their prime who nonetheless supplies comedy like that?

Jiri Prochazka appeared Alex Pereira in his eyes and advised him with one hundred pc sincerity that of their rematch he must not cheat with the assistance of spirits. That is without doubt one of the most unintentionally humorous issues to occur in MMA ever.

Greatest MMA identify

Whats the perfect MMA identify of all time? Im a fan of Vernon “Tiger” White or Mirko Cro Crop. If had been together with all of fight sports activities, its fairly onerous to beat Combating Harada.

So it looks as if we’re not simply speaking about authorities names, but additionally together with nicknames, which is sweet. Nicknames are the lifeblood of MMA, and each time somebody adjustments an important nickname to a lame one ( you, Corey Anderson — “Beastin’ 25/8”was spectacular) it hurts my soul.

After all, names that usurp the given identify will all the time find yourself being the perfect, so your callout of Mirko Cro Cop is a superb one, as are Shogun Rua and Rampage Jackson. However setting that apart, listed here are a number of nice ones that don’t match that mould.

• Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett (I don’t acknowledge “Felony” identical as with Corey Anderson)
• Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson
• Roy “Massive Nation” Nelson
• Mark “Tremendous Samoan” Hunt
• Wanderlei “The Axe Assassin” Silva.

However sticking with what was stated on the high, the perfect MMA identify ever needs to be Korean Zombie. Critically, what number of of you even know what TKZ’s actual identify is? It’s distinctive, completely descriptive of the person, and have become one thing a lot larger than him. It’s the runaway winner.

Oh, and on the boxing tip, The Candy Science has 1,000,000 nice names, however I’ve all the time been a fan of Smokin’ Joe Frazier and Sugar Ray Robinson. These are merely good. Every time you may add the nickname as a title, do this. It’s method higher. I’ll by no means forgive Dominick Cruz for being “The Dominator” as a substitute of “Dominant” Dominick Cruz.

Thanks for studying and due to everybody who despatched in tweets (Xs?)! Do you might have any burning questions on issues no less than 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 my favourite 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.