UFC 313 Mailbag: Magomed Ankalaev unseats Alex Pereira, what does that mean for Jon Jones?

UFC 313 is within the books, and for the primary time this yr, we have now a brand new champion. Magomed Ankalaev lastly captured UFC gold, profitable a unanimous determination over Alex Pereira of their long-awaited matchup.

The win despatched ripples not simply via the sunshine heavyweight division but in addition as much as heavyweight. So the place can we go from right here, and what in regards to the light-weight performances from Saturday? Let’s bounce into your questions this week.

Jon Jones

“Jon Jones has nowhere to go now. Nobody thinks he’ll take the Tom Aspinall battle however do you assume Jon will drag it out in order that Tom gained’t be preventing somebody till November, additional losing his prime?”

My favourite a part of Saturday was everybody shortly realizing that the largest loser of the evening might have been Jon Jones. Had Pereira gained, it was even cash that the UFC booked Alex vs. Jon in a brilliant battle later this yr. Now, that’s fully off the desk, which means Jon Jones has to both battle Tom Aspinall or stroll away, and everyone knows which one he’s going to decide on.

My guess is Jones tries to barter just a little longer, asking for an exorbitant value and hoping the UFC in the end decides it wants a mega battle to juice up their broadcast rights negotiations. However I don’t assume the promotion pays Jon his asking value or anyplace close to it and so by the summer time I count on Tom Aspinall to defend his belt in opposition to Ciryl Gane as Jon retires from the game.

Fighters of the 12 months?

“Not a query, simply fairly loopy to assume that the 2 consensus prime vote getters for Fighter of the 12 months 2024 (Ilia and Alex) are not champions earlier than the primary quarter of the yr is finished.”

I had not considered this however sure, it’s WILD that that is true. If you happen to had requested anybody to wager in opposition to you on this they might have laughed in your face. No person noticed this one coming. 2024 was basically dominated by Ilia Topuria and Alex Pereira, and whereas Topuria selected to vacate his title, it’s nonetheless fairly loopy to consider. And it speaks to my favourite factor to harp on about: how defending a title is probably the most troublesome factor in MMA.

Some of the compelling elements of MMA is that something can occur, and this simply goes to point out you ways true that’s. It’s a must to carry your ‘A’ sport to the cage each day out otherwise you may lose the title. And even when you don’t, maybe the prospect of defending a belt time and again not motivates you, so you must attempt to discover one thing else to chase. Champions who put up 5, 6, or 7+ title defenses over various years are the precise best fighters of all time, as a result of if different individuals might do it, they might.

Massive Ank Time

“Who do you assume is the hardest match up for ‘Massive Ank Time’ at 205 aside from ‘Poatan?’”

I’m tempted to go along with Jan Blachowicz right here as a result of we already noticed them battle and Ankalaev barely escaped with a cut up determination win. However Blachowicz is a couple of years older now and declining, so the precise reply ought to shock nobody: Jiri Prochazka.

Maybe that is homerism as a result of Prochazka is certainly one of my favourite lively fighters, however there’s a cause the person has solely misplaced to Pereira prior to now decade — he’s rattling good. And whereas Pereira presents a uniquely unhealthy model matchup for Prochazka, Ankalaev doesn’t. The truth is, Prochazka has an excellent likelihood at unseating the brand new champion if he will get the chance. He’s faster and much more athletic, and whereas Ankalaev took Pereira out of his sport with some sensible tactical selections, Jiri is more likely to pressure extra hectic exchanges than Pereira.

I’d nonetheless favor Ankalaev barely, however Prochazka is a really stay canine in such a matchup.

Lightweights

“Who do you consider the following technology of lightweights (not counting Armen Tsarukyan) has the very best ceiling as a fighter? Between Ignacio Bahamondes, Mauricio Ruffy, Joel Alvarez, Mateusz Rebecki, Myktybek Orolbai, and so forth I don’t know if any are future champs however BOY ARE THEY FUN.”

Sure. Sure, they’re. As a result of light-weight was and at all times would be the greatest division in MMA.

First, shout out to the lightweights at UFC 313. Justin Gaethje delivered yet one more immaculate feather within the cap of a profession that’s destined to be underrated, Ignacio Bahamondes declared himself the true deal, and Mauricio Ruffy scored what I can solely assume would be the Knockout of the 12 months. Rattling advantageous work from all.

As for which of the following technology would be the greatest, I’d go along with one fighter you left off this listing: Usman Nurmagomedov. Sure, Nurmagomedov simply eked out a controversial determination in his final battle, however he’s additionally nonetheless solely 26 years outdated and he’s arguably probably the most gifted of the Group Khabib fighters. Plus Paul Hughes is a rattling advantageous fighter himself and in addition one to observe within the subsequent technology.

However when you’re limiting this to UFC fighters solely, the give me Bahamondes. Alvarez isn’t actually within the subsequent technology since he’s 32, Rebecki and Orolbai are higher than they’re enjoyable (which issues at light-weight), and whereas this can be a tougher promote given what he simply did, Ruffy is the Preventing Nerds guys I just like the least (which is like saying he’s the worst profitable lottery ticket, he’s nonetheless nice).

Bahamondes remains to be determining battle just a little bit, however he’s large for light-weight, harmful in every single place, and has the suitable mentality. Give me Nacho for the win.

Additionally, Luke Thomas talked about this some this week and I echo his sentiment: the present crop of elite lightweights is a once-in-a-lifetime group. Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira, and Michael Chandler have been on the prime of this division for longer than ought to be attainable, however virtually each time the following technology has had an opportunity to switch them, the outdated guard says “Maintain on a minute.” Actually particular stuff.

Shock

“What was probably the most shocking second of UFC 313 for you?”

It needed to be Jalin Turner’s stunning retirement after getting tapped by Bahamondes within the characteristic battle on the principle card.

I used to be extraordinarily excessive on Turner as a prospect and regardless of his present run of unhealthy kind, he’s nonetheless comparatively younger. However listening to Turner converse afterward and it appears that is one thing he’s been contemplating and that his coronary heart isn’t within the sport anymore. Nothing improper with that in any respect and I want him all the perfect, however undoubtedly probably the most shocking end result of the night.

Jalin Turner

“If Jalin Turner has retired for good, how will you bear in mind his profession?”

He’ll must be remembered as a “What If.” This can be a fighter who had all of the potential on the earth however solely scratched the floor of what he might have been able to. We noticed that when Turner was at his greatest, he was an issue for anybody he stepped in in opposition to; nevertheless, it looks like Turner lacked one thing within the psychological aspect of issues to grow to be a really elite fighter.

Even so, he had a stable little run there and his five-fight end streak after the Matt Frevola loss was actual enjoyable. Completely happy trails, Tarantula.

Thanks for studying and because of everybody who despatched in tweets (Xs?)! Do you may have any burning questions on issues at the least considerably associated to fight sports activities? Then you definately’re in luck as a result of you’ll be able to 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.