Category: Radio Highlight

Video: How excited are you for the rematch between Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley?

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel gives their thoughts on the unlikely rematch that is now a reality between Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley.

An unlikely rematch became a reality very quickly this week.

[autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag] will square off against former UFC welterweight champion [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag] once again in the boxing ring after Tommy Fury pulled out of his scheduled bout with Paul.

Woodley is stepping in on short notice to keep the event alive on Dec. 18, ultimately getting the rematch he got a tattoo for in hopes of securing.

Just when we thought this feud was over, we’re right back into it, and it’s approaching quickly. Now that the rematch is signed and sealed, how excited are you for the second installment of this rivalry?

The first meeting between Paul and Woodley resulted in a split decision in favor of Paul. Will Woodley get the job done this time like so many thought he would in their first match? Will the $500,000 bonus entice Woodley to get a finish?

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Nolan King, Matthew Wells, and “Gorgeous” George Garcia discuss this topic with host John Morgan.

Check out the discussion in the clip above and watch this week’s full episode in the video below.

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Tuesday on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel.

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Giga Chikadze already ‘the people’s champ,’ expects UFC title shot with win over Calvin Kattar

Giga Chikadze believes he’s ready for a title shot now, but he has no problem getting through Calvin Kattar first.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – [autotag]Giga Chikadze[/autotag] believes he is ready for a title shot now, but he has no problem getting through [autotag]Calvin Kattar[/autotag] first.

Chikadze (14-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) meets Kattar (22-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in the UFC Fight Night main event on Jan. 15 and with Max Holloway having already lost to featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski twice, Chikadze thinks that makes his case for a title shot even stronger.

“Definitely,” Chikadze told MMA Junkie Radio. “I think I could even fight without him. There is no one to fight for the title. I don’t know if they’re gonna schedule Max because he beat Yair (Rodriguez) and Calvin. They’ve been talking about this, and I get it, but this fight already happened twice. So I could pass this and just ask for a title (shot), but I want to fight someone from the top five, and Calvin Kattar’s name came. I think that was the only guy who wasn’t busy, and ‘Zombie’ (Chan Sung Jung) was injured, so I picked Kattar, and now we have him for January.”

He continued, “I’ve been saying this for a long time, and people didn’t believe it before. Now finally they’re starting to believe it. I’m the people’s champ. I can beat anyone in the featherweight division in the world, and I feel it’s time, and it’s time to make it all official. First things first, January and then we make all this official.”

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After going 4-0 in 2020, Chikadze was matched up with the upper echelon of the division and passed those tests with flying colors. He needed just over a minute to put veteran Cub Swanson away and finished dynamic striker Edson Barboza in his first main event in August.

He now draws hard-hitting Kattar, who wasn’t too pleased with some of Chikadze’s comments regarding his lopsided loss to Holloway in January. But for Chikadze, it’s nothing personal. He merely sees Kattar as a stepping stone to the top.

“He’s different, but he’s not way different,” Chikadze said of Kattar. “He’s good. He’s got good hands, and he comes from a wrestling background. In general, what I see from this guy is he has the heart to fight. He doesn’t break, and he always comes forward. This type of fight is a fun fight for the fans. I’m excited, plus I saw in some interview he gave days ago saying that ‘He’s gonna make me pay.’

“He mentioned that I said something about his last fight. Brother, the whole world said something about your last fight. It’s kind of funny and honestly, when I watched this fight, I was commentating on Georgian TV live, and I was on his side. I wanted him to beat Max, but whatever. It doesn’t matter. I’m going to face him in January, and it doesn’t matter if it’s Kattar, Max, I’m always ready. Even if the opponent changes, it doesn’t matter. I’m ready to smash my next opponent.”

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Spinning Back Clique: UFC-Bellator bantamweight supremacy, Paul-Woodley 2, UFC 269

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week, we look back at the UFC on ESPN 31 and Bellator 272 bantamweight headliners, as well as look ahead to the unexpected Jake Paul-Tyron Woodley rematch and this weekend’s UFC 269.

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Nolan King, Matthew Wells and “Gorgeous” George Garcia discuss these topics with host John Morgan.

  • This past weekend saw a couple of incredible bantamweight main events, starting [autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag], who had a tough time with [autotag]Kyoji Horiguchi[/autotag] but ultimately delivered a “Knockout of the Year” contender to retain his bantamweight title at Bellator 272. That belt is going up for grabs next year in a bantamweight grand prix, so let’s ask: Is Pettis the odds on favorite to retain the belt all the way through the tournament?
  • Meanwhile, over at UFC on ESPN 31, [autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag] proved he’s still very relevant at 135 pounds with a clear-cut decision win over [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag]. After the fight, Aldo said a matchup with T.J. Dillashaw appeals to him next while they wait on the title unification bout between Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan. Lot of great names at the top of that division, but Bellator president Scott Coker said his grand prix will determine the best 135 pounder in the world. The question: Is he right? Does Bellator have a better bantamweight division than the UFC right now?
  • Well, [autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag] was set to box Tommy Fury later this month in a fight that we wouldn’t have to care much about here at MMA Junkie, but now Fury is out, and former UFC champion [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag] is getting the rematch he had been campaigning for since their first meeting. That’s right, just when we thought we were out, they pulled us back in. Now that it’s a reality, how excited are you? And is there any way it goes differently than the first time?
  • The UFC’s final pay-per-view event of the year takes place this week with UFC 269, and two veterans top the bill, with [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] defending his lightweight title against [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag]. Both of these guys are so deserving of the spotlight given their journeys in the sport, but who has more on the line here? Who might really be feeling the pressure Saturday night?
  • Outside of the main event, we have a stacked UFC 269 card, so which fight are you looking forward to most outside of the headliner and why?

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Tuesday on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You can watch the full episode in the video above.

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Paul Felder encourages fighters to get brain tests under UFC-Cleveland Clinic partnership

Paul Felder is grateful he took advantage of the resources available to him at the Cleveland Clinic.

[autotag]Paul Felder[/autotag] wants to give credit where credit is due.

The retired UFC lightweight can’t speak highly enough about the treatment and resources available to him as a UFC fighter at the Cleveland Clinic’s professional athlete’s brain study. Felder (17-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) believes it’s extremely important to participate in the research and encourages fellow UFC fighters to do the same.

“Its super easy,” Felder told MMA Junkie Radio. “It’s in Vegas or Cleveland, obviously. They’re super nice. Everybody there is amazing, and they pay for everything that you need. But, yeah, if you have any issues as a UFC fighter, go get your head looked at. I’m good to go.”

Earlier this year, the UFC announced a five-year extension of its collaboration with Cleveland Clinic. The UFC has helped support their brain research to help determine the long-term effects of head trauma and factors that put certain individuals at higher risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Felder, who’s hasn’t competed in a year and is thinking of making a comeback, recently had his brain studied at the Cleveland Clinic and was given the green light – meaning no abnormalities or changes were detected in his brain. Felder is thankful to have those resources available to him.

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“There’s not enough UFC fighters and boxers involved in this study because the more people involved, the more they can understand different variables, and they can understand how genetic makeup and build can affect certain things,” Felder said.

“I’m one of the lucky ones, 100 percent. I was talking to the doctor, and he said it’s an extensive MRI, over an hour MRI on your brain, just to make sure your brain is good from a standpoint on how your brain is supposed to look.

“Then there’s all these neurological tests of speed, timing, coordination with both eyes, vision, and balance. Then a survey you have to fill out with honest questions like, ‘Have you ever been depressed? Do you ever feel suicidal thoughts?’ Because nobody wants to talk about it, but it’s a real situation, and the UFC is really trying to be at the forefront of it. I want to give them huge credit because they’re the ones setting us up for this stuff.”

 

‘I was almost going broke fighting in MMA’: Rachael Ostovich says BKFC far more lucrative

Rachael Ostovich reveals she’s received offers for both bare-knuckle and MMA, but her choice will depend on the numbers.

[autotag]Rachael Ostovich[/autotag][autotag] has received offers for both bare-knuckle boxing and MMA, but her choice will depend on the numbers.

A former UFC women’s flyweight and “The Ultimate Fighter 26” cast member, Ostovich (4-6 MMA) tried her hand(s) at bare-knuckle boxing earlier this year after 10 pro MMA fights. The 30-year-old transitioned in July and defeated Paige VanZant in a five-round battle at BKFC 19.

Although she found success in her BKFC debut, Ostovich said it’s not a guarantee she’ll be back. Her next move will solely be based on which sport pays her more.

“I had some injuries after the fight, it’s definitely different from MMA,” Ostovich told MMA Junkie Radio of her BKFC win. “I’ve had some offers, but I’m kinda waiting on the negotiations between my manager and the promotions, so bare-knuckle is of interest. But it’s if the numbers match then yeah … I’m still down for MMA and there have been offers from MMA, but at this point, I’m kinda just waiting to see what makes the most money here so that’s where I’m at.”

She continued, “They both have their pros and cons, so it really is just money talks for me right now.”

Ostovich says she got paid more in bare-knuckle than she ever did in MMA, where she was barely making ends meet. That type of upside will be hard to ignore when making a final decision, she said.

“I would return to MMA, just right now BKFC is really hot right now and they pay me really good so that’s where I’ll be,” Ostovich said. “MMA is a lot and I felt like I was almost going broke fighting in MMA, so BKFC is where I’m at for right now and hopefully we can get on the same page (for a contract).”

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Rising contender Jamahal Hill happy to see Glover Teixeira rewarded with UFC gold

Jamahal Hill doesn’t shy away from the mic, but has nothing but respect for newly crowned light heavyweight champ Glover Teixeira.

[autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] doesn’t shy away from the mic, but has nothing but respect for [autotag]Glover Teixeira[/autotag].

Teixeira (33-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC), 42, became the oldest first-time UFC champion in history when he submitted Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267 in October. Hill is a light heavyweight contender on the rise, and although he wants what Teixeira has, he has the utmost respect for the new champ.

Not only did Teixeira make history, but he showed great resolve throughout his career by turning a rough two-year patch (2016-2018) into a six-fight winning streak, en route to winning the title.

“I’m 100 percent a fan,” Hill told MMA Junkie Radio. “I think it was great, I’m happy for Glover Teixeira, I’m happy that he won. That’s a guy that’s been around the game and my man is 42 years old. He’s been paying his dues in the game and it’s good to see somebody like that rewarded with that exclamation point in his legacy, a championship. It looks like he’s not willing to give it up, he’s ready to fight for it and that’s nice because you got a lot of takers want to come take what you got. I’m one of them.”

Hill (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) will look to rebound from his first-career loss to Paul Craig when he meets Jimmy Crute (12-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) at UFC on ESPN 31 on Dec. 4. The event takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas with a main card that airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.

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‘That would be tough to turn down’: Paul Felder names two scenarios to bring him out of retirement

Paul Felder is content with his decision to retire, but admits there are two things that could potentially change his mind.

[autotag]Paul Felder[/autotag] is content with his decision to retire, but admits there are two things that could potentially change his mind.

Felder (17-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC), who officially hung up his gloves in May, isn’t having second thoughts about competing again, he said. However, he would consider a pair of specific scenarios.

The longtime lightweight contender and current UFC color commentator no longer thinks about title runs or climbing up the ranks. He is open to coming back for a large payday, though, or perhaps a fight on home soil.

“There’s like two scenarios,” Felder told MMA Junkie Radio. “Obviously the ‘money fight. For some reason if Conor (McGregor) just hates my guts again and wants to fight me, OK sure. I’ll throw on the old MMA gloves to get back in there to change my life and teach him a lesson, but other than that, no. The other one was – Sean Brady actually texted me the other day and he’s like, ‘Would you come back out of retirement for a fight at the Wells Fargo with all of us?’

“Now we’ve got eight Philly guys or at least close to it (in the UFC). (Andre) Petroski, the Daukaus brothers, Jeremiah Wells, (Pat) Sabatini, Brady, Bill Algeo is from the Pennsylvania area, right outside of Philly. That would be tough to turn down, but I don’t know when they’re coming back to the Wells Fargo and who would I fight – I don’t know.”

With his current involvement in the broadcast booth, Felder said he’s happy with the opportunities he has outside of fighting and his ability to chase after his other passions, such as training and participating in triathlons.

“It’s one of the reasons I was able to retire early,” Felder said. “I have five more fights at least physically in me, I just – it’s not there in the fire, it’s not in the belly anymore, so it was time. It’s been a great four years, and I feel like I’m just getting started with that and getting back to the acting eventually a little more as well hopefully.”

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‘Still not 100 percent,’ Cheyanne Vlismas confident she’ll beat COVID in time for UFC on ESPN 31

Despite having UFC on ESPN 31 fight booked, Cheyanne Vlismas says she’s still recovering from COVID-19.

[autotag]Cheyanne Vlismas[/autotag] still is in the process of trying to make her next fight.

Originally scheduled to face Loma Lookboonmee at UFC Fight Night 198 on Saturday, Vlismas was forced to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19. But Vlismas already has her next fight booked and will be stepping in for Montserrat Ruiz against Mallory Martin at UFC on ESPN 31 on Dec. 4.

Vlismas (6-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC), who went through some rough symptoms of COVID, is doing everything she can to make sure she’s healthy in time for her fight with Martin.

“I’m still not 100 percent,” Vlismas told MMA Junkie Radio. “My fight is now two weeks away. It’s attacked my lungs pretty good. So basically I’m taking this fight, just trying to heal up, and go out there and do my thing. Luckily, the UFC is working with me. I’m going to go see a doctor on Monday. I’m going to get an inhaler, taking all the breathing treatments I can do. This is definitely one of the craziest things I’ve ever done in my life, but I have all the confidence in myself to go out there and just beat her ass and go home.”

Despite not being fully recovered from COVID-19, Vlismas had no hesitation accepting the offer to step in on short notice to face Martin. The 26-year-old is expected to get tested again and if her result comes back negative, she’ll be cleared to fight.

“I have just a terrible cough and I can’t breathe, but because of fighting, I’ve just been trying to train my lungs back,” Vlismas said. “If I can get my lungs back, I’ll be good to go. Basically when they called me for the fight, with the fight being so close and still being sick, I basically just told myself, if this girl ran up on me in the streets right now, would I fight her? And I said yes. So the fact that I have two-and-a-half weeks to prepare and get my lungs healthy again, it’s a blessing to me. I’m always ready to fight, I’m always ready to scrap, so for me – this is crazy, I don’t know. Basically I’m just trying to heal up, and I’m just going to go out there and have fun.

“I have a COVID test (Friday) morning. I’m pretty sure I’m going to test negative. The main symptoms I had was the head pressure. Obviously the chest was the worst. But the head pressure, the fevers – I haven’t had any of that for almost a week now. So (Friday) morning, I’ll go test and hopefully it comes back negative. If so, we’re in the clear. But I really do think I’ll be OK, and the fact that I have two weeks, I mean – I’m getting better every day. My lungs are coming back. I’m almost back to myself. But hopefully, I pray (Friday) it comes back negative and I don’t have to pull out of any more fights, because it’s not what I like to do.”

Video: With a number of options available, what should be next for Max Holloway?

With no shortage of options available, our “Spinning Back Clique” debates what should be next for former UFC champion Max Holloway.

[autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] continues to shine as one of the best featherweights on the planet.

The former UFC featherweight champion put on another high-volume striking clinic at UFC Fight Night 197 against Yair Rodriguez, picking up his second unanimous decision win of the year.

Firmly the No. 1 contender in the featherweight division, is it time for a third fight with current champion Alexander Volkanovski, who beat him to win the belt, then beat him a second time to defend it? Both fights were extremely close and very intriguing, so a third fight makes sense.

However, Holloway expressed interest in running it back with former champ-champ Conor McGregor, and also teased a potential move up to lightweight to face current champion Charles Oliveira.

Should Holloway focus on regaining featherweight gold or chase a big money fight?

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Mike Bohn, Nolan King, and Danny Segura discuss this topic with host John Morgan in the video above.

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Tuesday on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You can watch the full episode in the video below.

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MMA Junkie Radio at Joint Base Langley-Eustis: A weekend with the troops

Dan Henderson, Ricardo Lamas, “King Mo,” Luis Palomino, and Erick Nicksick joined George and “Goze” on the military base in Virginia,

Thursday is an important day for Americans as we celebrate Veterans Day. Every year we honor those men and women who have served our country across the five military branches.

One week ago, Goze and I traveled to Virginia to visit troops. This was our eighth military morale trip overall and our seventh to Joint Base Langley-Eustis. JBLE is actually two bases: Langley Air Base (Air Force) and Fort Eustis (Army). Though we spent most of our time on Fort Eustis, we did drop by Langley Air Base, too.

On each of our trips, we’ve taken many MMA fighters/notables. This trip’s guest list: Dan Henderson, Muhammed Lawal, Ricardo Lamas, Luis Palomino, and Xtreme Couture coach Eric Nicksick.

Here’s a recap of our trip …