A whole new week means a whole new set of MMA news and events that needs to be discussed by yours truly. So let’s get right into it with some interesting topics for this week:
Darren Till vs. Rafael Dos Anjos?
Darren Till has expressed interest in fighting former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos in a recent interview.
Just because of his fan base there, and I’ve obviously lived there. I’ve got a lot of fans there, and I can speak the language. It would be a good sell in Brazil, if he’s willing to do it… I know he’s waiting for [Tyron] Woodley but Woodley doesn’t seem to want to come back.” – Darren Till
As fun as a fight this would be, Dos Anjos has earned the right to fight for the title and should not have to fight the #7 ranked fighter in his division. This would be a repeat of the Jacare Souza situation. Maybe Till can fight Colby Covington in the mean time (I know a lot of people want to see that guy get knocked out badly).
Mackenzie Dern‘s Debut Draws Viewers
According to Dave Meltzer, Mackenzie Dern’s UFC debut was the most watched portion of the UFC 222: Cyborg vs. Kuntskaya prelims. It was also a bigger draw than the crazy Wilder vs. Ortiz boxing fight. Although Mackenzie Dern herself wasn’t that impressive in her debut (completely lacking in the striking department), she has proven to be a pretty big cash cow for the UFC. I expect them to give her the Sage Northcutt treatment to make he a household name and protect her record. I just hope see fixes her striking or uses her grappling much more effectively, otherwise see will end up like Ronda Rousey when she was exposed in the striking department.
Conor McGregor, Max Holloway, and Burger King
Conor McGregor and Max Holloway continued to poke jabs at each other after UFC 222: Cyborg vs. Kunitskaya.
You had nothing to gain from taking that fight @FrankieEdgar. But you took it you defended what you already earned. There’s no belt for sacrificing everything but true fans and Jersey knows no belt can outshine what you bring to the sport. Chin up bratha
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) March 4, 2018
Kid, you bounced. Leave it.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 5, 2018
Oh we talking bout bouncing now?Don’t like my tweet? Your coach did. Go ask him why. Maybe you'll find what you lost. https://t.co/ekoxh7bUaw
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) March 5, 2018
So when McGregor announced that he was partnering with Burger King, similar to Anderson Silva, the UFC Featheweight Champion decided to take this opportunity to mock his former advisory.
https://mobile.twitter.com/BlessedMMA/status/970805576669081600
Don’t you just love when two fighters get along? In all seriousness, I don’t understand why McGregor is even talking trash to Holloway. I guess he may want to face him when either of those killers, Khabib Nurmagomedov or Tony Ferguson, take his belt. Regardless, in about a month only one of them can call themselves champion.
Derrick Lewis vs. Francis Ngannou?
Derrick Lewis has been campaigning for a fight with recent title challenger Francis Ngannou. He said recently on a podcast that he would like to get the fight as soon as possible. This would definitely be an entertaining fight and would be easy for the UFC to sell as a must-watch bout. Ngannou may not want to fight Lewis now, especially after coming short against heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, but this could be the fight that would propel him back into title contention. Plus, the rivalry between these two has been bitter from the start. Let’s just hope that when they do fight, the UFC reinforces the octagon cage walls.
Fabricio Werdum wants to be in WWE
This is probably the most surprising news of the week. Fabricio Werdum has stated that he will meet with WWE executives to talk about a potential crossover into the world of professional wrestling. Werdum then went on the record to say that the idea was nixed and instead he would be considering lucha libre style wrestling. This is a very off move as Werdum feels that he can balance both worlds which has me skeptical. If he ever does go to WWE, however, then I would love to see him and Brock Lesnar in a cage match. The cage should also be in the shape of an octagon.
Other News:
- Amanda Nunes vs. Raquel Pennington is set for UFC 224
- Ion Cutelaba suspended for 6 months for ozone therapy administration
- Luke Rockhold plans to move up to 205 lbs. and fight Alexander Gustafsson
- Cynthia Calvillo accepts a 6 month suspension for taking marijuana
- Holly Holm not interested in retirement, wants to keep fighting
- Alistair Overeem vs. Curtis Blaydes set for UFC 225
- John Dodson plans to stay with UFC after contract expired
- Erick Silva is now a free agent and is talking to both UFC and other promotions
- Michael Bisping uninterested in fighting Luke Rockhold in trilogy fight