UFC Mailbag: Should Ilia Topuria step in to fight Justin Gaethje at UFC 313?

As at all times, the MMA information cycle by no means stops.

This previous weekend, UFC Seattle went down with Track Yadong selecting up a technical determination win over Henry Cejudo after a considerably controversial and extremely bizarre ending involving an eye fixed poke. However simply as we have been placing the ending touches on this mailbag, information broke that subsequent weekend’s UFC 313 co-main occasion between Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker was off as a result of Hooker broke his hand!

Will they substitute Hooker or simply punt the matchup down the street? And what about UFC Seattle? There’s a ton to undergo so let’s dive proper in.

Justin Gaethje opponent

“If Justin stays on the cardboard, who do you wish to see him battle, and who do you imagine the UFC chooses. It’s essential to decide somebody who has an inexpensive chance of accepting. Whereas it could be cool to see Ilia earn his title shot, he’s not volunteering for this.”

I’m not going to deceive you, Gaethje vs. Hooker falling off UFC 313 is brutal. Whereas the cardboard isn’t dangerous, it’s additionally not good, and that’s why I really feel some stage of confidence that the UFC goes to discover a alternative opponent; as a result of it must.

As for who that will likely be, there was no scarcity of fighters providing to step up however, all due respect to Rafael Fiziev, Mateusz Gamrot, and Renato Moicano, none of these carry the identical pleasure that Hooker did. Fiziev is a rematch that Gaethje can be a idiot to take and Gamrot is a laughable alternative. Moicano is the one one which’s even viable, and for as a lot as folks like Moicano, he’s not going to bang it out with Gaethje. Does Gaethje wish to tackle a man who will sort out and grapple him? Uncertain.

No, there actually is just one reply right here who is sensible (Arman Tsarukyan just isn’t it as a result of he couldn’t make light-weight with a full camp, ain’t taking place on this timeframe): Ilia Topuria.

You say I can’t select Topuria, however why not? Who alive thought he would vacate the featherweight title for no actual cause? The person is clearly prepared to behave a bit loopy, and that is particularly a battle he’s mentioned he’s desires. Are the circumstances best? No. However this is able to be virtually pure upside for him. It solves the query of whether or not he deserves to get a light-weight title shot with only one protection at featherweight, and it does it in essentially the most badass vogue attainable.

Alex Pereira turned a dwelling legend final 12 months by doing precisely this kind of factor, and he was preventing in a foul weight class. If Topuria drops his 145 belt to battle Justin Freaking Gaethje on two weeks’ discover and beats him? That’s some god-tier aura. That’s the way you develop into beloved and revered, and that turns his battle with Islam Makhachev right into a official pay-per-view attraction.

If I needed to guess, I’m saying Topuria steps up.

Track Yadong vs. Henry Cejudo 2?

“Is it value reserving to Track Yadong v Cejudo rematch, within the hope that everybody hopefully will get their chocolate ganache? Or is it higher for each of them to only transfer onto different fights?”

I don’t usually discover myself agreeing with Dana White, however on this we’re aligned: I’ve no real interest in watching Track and Cejudo run issues again.

I’m of the opinion that formally, that bout must be a No-Contest, as a result of it was ended by an unlawful strike and it doesn’t seem to be one of the best course of for fights to be received a direct results of dishonest (name me loopy). However in the event you should select a winner, clearly the suitable man received. Track was working Cejudo all around the cage and in observe the attention poke simply saved us 10 minutes of watching an outdated man get hit. Certain, the ending was bizarre and dangerous, and certain, we will’t know what would’ve occurred, however I’m good. It’s not just like the battle was even that enjoyable, so let’s simply transfer on.

Guidelines

“Do you truly suppose a degree deduction for each foul can be a greater product? Not accusatory btw simply questioning.”

“I really feel like standing within the middle of the octagon and getting a degree taken would get tedious. Really feel prefer it must be faster by some means is that ever turned a factor.”

100%. I’ve by no means been extra severe about something in my working life. The truth that MMA doesn’t penalize fouls is each infuriating and insane, and it’s THE ONLY SPORT THAT DOESN’T. There’s actually no cause to not do.

“BuT tHeN tHe ReFs DeCiDe ThE fIgHts!”

They already do! Failure to implement the principles of a recreation isn’t being goal, it’s actively aiding the offending get together! The one that will get fouled did nothing flawed and now they’re struggling because of this! Why is the default setting to defend the villain?!?! If NFL refs stopped calling defensive move interference and simply mentioned “nicely, we informed the Saints to cease doing it, 4th and seven” they might be fired tomorrow.

“BuT MmA iS oNlY tHrEe RoUnDs!”

So? Dishonest is dishonest. In each state of affairs, one get together is getting screwed over. In my state of affairs, that get together is the one who isn’t harmless. You don’t wish to get penalized? Don’t f*cking foul. It’s not that onerous. Loads of fighters don’t do it.

“BuT fIgHtErS wIlL fAkE iT!”

It’s the ref’s job to look at the battle and decide fouls, not simply take a fighter’s phrase {that a} foul occurred. If the ref does that, hearth them for incompetence! Additionally, now we have prompt replay to right such errors. And if a fighter does, then you’ll be able to both hearth them, or simply let the group rip them to shreds for being a bit of shit. I promise you, the variety of fighters who pretend an eye fixed poke or groin shot will likely be extraordinarily small, if in any respect.

And alongside these strains, to reply the second a part of the query, no, it received’t! As a result of in the event you begin truly penalizing fouls, I GUARANTEE that the variety of fouls will drop off dramatically. You received’t be stopping each battle three or 4 instances as a result of fighters will cease committing fouls! In any sport the power to mitigate penalties is a official talent that gamers or groups work on. MMA would be the similar if there may be ever a cause to take action.

For the previous 10 years, I’ve felt like I’m taking loopy drugs as a result of so many individuals refuse to get on board with this. I’m glad that’s lastly beginning to change as a result of the reply is blatantly apparent: take a degree for each foul besides fence grabs, which as an alternative are punished by awarding the non-offending get together a alternative of place. Instantaneous replay to verify fouls.

There, I simply mounted MMA.

Cejudo

“If Henry doesn’t retire, and he doesn’t rematch Track, who would you prefer to see every matched up with subsequent?”

Nicely, I might’ve mentioned Jose Aldo however as an alternative he’s preventing Aimann Zahabi as a result of … I actually haven’t any frigging thought. So if Cejudo isn’t going to retire, I’d prefer to see him attempt 125 once more. I’m certain it received’t be straightforward, however he was noticeably smaller than Track, and the reality is regardless of being a former bantamweight champion, that was by no means his greatest weight class. He’s solely significant wins are over Marlon Moraes — who misplaced 7 of his subsequent 8 and arguably misplaced the eighth as nicely — and Dominick Cruz, who was clearly previous his prime.

If Cejudo goes to maintain going, there’s loads of viable opponents at 125 kilos.

Anthony Hernandez

“How do you see Fluffy Hernandez doing towards the highest 5 at middleweight?”

“Fluffy” took a hard-fought unanimous determination over Brendan Allen of their rematch within the co-main occasion this previous Saturday and now sits at No. 9 within the UFC middleweight rankings. He’s driving a seven-fight win streak and appears to be a severe contender at 185 kilos. However I’m nonetheless not totally certain what to make of him.

Fluffy has a brilliant energy, which fits a great distance. In a five-round battle, he could make life depressing for nearly anybody together with his wrestling and cardio. The issue is, whereas that works for Merab Dvalishvili at bantamweight, I’m undecided it’s as efficient at 185. Fluffy doesn’t have Merab’s chin and middleweights hit tougher, and the remainder of his recreation remains to be very a lot in want of labor. Dricus du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov, and Khamzat Chimaev all seem to be they’d be very exhausting fights for him, and even Sean Strickland could possibly be difficult. Not saying he can’t win however Brendan Allen gave Hernandez hell in there and he’s a transparent tier beneath that crop of fighters.

Finally, I form of view Fluffy as a Sean Brady kind fighter: nice however not world champion stage. On any evening he’ll make a battle of it, however barring a really lucky break or main growth, he might by no means even battle for a title, and uncertain he wins one. However I’ve been flawed loads of instances earlier than.

Alonzo Menifield vs. Julius Walker

“FOTN? It was the worst battle of the evening?”

Rob Font vs. Jean Matsumoto was an unimaginable battle that was snubbed for causes identified solely to Dana White and God. Really essentially the most upset I used to be all evening was the worst battle on your entire card by some means profitable Combat of the Night time honors. Simply give 4 Efficiency bonuses. I don’t perceive.

Jose Aldo

“Why the hell is Jose Aldo getting booked this fashion?”

As a result of the MMA Gods hate me.

I don’t know what precisely I did to piss them off (might’ve been any variety of issues) however that’s the one affordable rationalization for the way the return of Jose Aldo has gone. We’re speaking about one of many six best fighters ever, a person virtually universally beloved and revered on this house, and within the twilight of his profession we’re getting garbage-ass fights with Mario Bautista and Aimann Zahabi. And it’s not even in Brazil!!!

All due disrespect to Zahabi, he’s 37 years outdated. This man is neither a legend nor a viable prospect at bantamweight, so what attainable function does this battle serve? I’m certain Aldo accepted as a result of he’ll battle anybody. He’s a King like that. However what chucklehead down on the UFC headquarters thought this was remotely worthwhile?

Aldo must be preventing Patricio Pitbull in a catchweight battle or Henry Cejudo or Deiveson Figueiredo! As an alternative we’re getting a parade of Aldo fights towards folks nobody cares about. An egregious waste of the ultimate years of a dwelling legend. I’ll by no means forgive them.

Thanks for studying and due to everybody who despatched in tweets (Xs?)! Do you may have any burning questions on issues not less than considerably associated to fight sports activities? Then you definitely’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.