Spinning Back Clique REPLAY: UFC 300 review, Holloway wins BMF title, Makhachev & McGregor return, more

On “Spinning Back Clique,” our panel discusses the fallout of UFC 300 including, Holloway’s BMF win, McGregor’s return, and more.

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

This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn and Danny Segura will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate everything around UFC 300:

  • The UFC reached its 300th pay-per-view event, a big milestone for the Las Vegas-based promotion. Where does this massive event rank in UFC history? On paper, it was a great card, and it delivered as promised.
  • [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] arguably made the biggest statement on Saturday night. The former UFC featherweight champion knocked out [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] in brutal fashion with one second remaining in the fight for the BMF title. So what’s next for Holloway? Should he stay at 155 pounds or go back to 145? Holloway has many options after this career-defining win.
  • On top of Holloway’s win, there were several other important lightweight bouts, as well as other lightweight bookings announced: [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] defeated former champion [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag], [autotag]Renato Moicano[/autotag] stopped Jalin Turner and [autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag] picked apart Jim Miller. Additionally, the [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] title defense vs. [autotag]Dutin Poirier[/autotag] was made official, along with the return of [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag], who faces lightweight standout [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] in a welterweight bout. Big news and results that heavily impact the UFC lightweight division.
  • In the main event of UFC 300, [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] successfully defended his light heavyweight belt for the very first time, knocking out [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag]. It was a huge win for the Brazilian, who requested a heavyweight fight in a quick turnaround at UFC 301 in Brazil next month.
  • In the other undisputed title fight, [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] defended her UFC strawweight belt against fellow Chinese fighter [autotag]Yan Xiaonan[/autotag]. It was a solid showing by Weili, who logged the second title defense of her second championship reign.
  • [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] made a huge splash on Saturday night. In a dominant showing, she submitted former champion [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag], a victory that even caught the attention of former two-division UFC champion [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag]. What’s next for Harrison? Is she a future UFC champion? We unpack it all.
  • Lastly, several other big storylines went down at UFC 300. The panel quickly reviews [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag]’s featherweight debut, [autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag]’s submission win, [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag]’ most recent first-round finish and more.

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Video: Can Aljamain Sterling thrive in the UFC featherweight division?

A former UFC bantamweight champion, will Aljamain Sterling find similar success a weight class higher? We discuss on “Spinning Back Clique.”

On the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel discusses [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag]’s move to the featherweight division.

This Saturday, the former UFC bantamweight champion goes up to 145 pounds to take on veteran [autotag]Calvin Kattar[/autotag] on the preliminary card of UFC 300 in Las Vegas. It’s a big addition to the featherweight division, given Sterling’s status in the sport. But can he find success just like he did a weight class below?

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Danny Segura, Nolan King, and host “Gorgeous” George Garcia discuss Sterling’s decision to move up and his potential in this new division.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and also don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.

https://youtube.com/live/fSjkR02NKpM

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Video: Future Champion? Breaking down Bo Nickal’s UFC 300 fight against Cody Brundage

On this week’s episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel discusses everything around Bo Nickal’s fight at UFC 300.

On the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel discusses [autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag]’s fight at UFC 300.

The 2019 Dan Hodge Trophy winner competes for the third time in the octagon Saturday against Cody Brundage. In addition to being a one of the biggest prospects in MMA, Nickal enters UFC 300 with elevated attention, as he serves as the pay-per-view main card opener.

Is this spot deserved? Is Nickal a future star and champion?

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Danny Segura, Dan Tom, and host “Gorgeous” George Garcia discussed everything about Nickal’s return to the octagon.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and also don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.

https://youtube.com/live/fSjkR02NKpM

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Video: What to expect from Kayla Harrison’s debut vs. Holly Holm at UFC 300

Kayla Harrison’s UFC moment has finally arrived. We break down what to expect in this week’s “Spinning Back Clique.”

On the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel discusses [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag]’s highly-anticipated UFC debut.

Harrison, two-time Olympic judo gold medalist and former two-time PFL champion, steps in the octagon for the very first time this Saturday at UFC 300. She takes on former UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag] on the preliminary card. Apart from being her UFC debut, Harrison will also fight at 135 pounds for the first time.

So what can fans expect from Harrison’s UFC debut?

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Danny Segura, Farah Hannoun, and host “Gorgeous” George Garcia break it all down.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and also don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.

https://youtube.com/live/fSjkR02NKpM

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Video: How UFC 300 affects the lightweight title picture – Gaethje vs. Holloway, Oliveira vs. Tsarukyan, more

On this week’s episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel discusses the UFC 300 lightweight action and how it affects the division’s title picture.

On the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel discusses and breaks down all the lightweight bouts featured at UFC 300.

This Saturday, the historic UFC pay-per-view features many prominent 155-pound matchups that could vastly change the title picture in the division. This includes the BMF title defense, as belt holder [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] welcomes back [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] to the division,[autotag] Charles Oliveira[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] – which has been labeled as a No. 1 contender bout.

In addition, a pair of bouts featuring veterans [autotag]Jalin Turner[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Renato Moicano[/autotag], and [autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag] also take place.

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Danny Segura, Mike Bohn, and host “Gorgeous” George Garcia discussed all the lightweight action that will be on display at UFC 300.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and also don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.

https://youtube.com/live/fSjkR02NKpM

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Video: Breaking down UFC 300’s title fights – Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill, Zhang Weili vs. Yan Xiaonan

On this week’s episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel breaks down the pair of title fights at UFC 300.

On the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel breaks down the two undisputed title fights at UFC 300.

In the main event, [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] makes his first light heavyweight title defense against former champion [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag], who returns from injury. In the co-main event, [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] takes on fellow Chinese fighter [autotag]Yan Xiaonan[/autotag] in a women’s strawweight title bout.

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Danny Segura, Matthew Wells, and host “Gorgeous” George Garcia discussed the biggest angles of the pair of championship fights.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and also don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.

https://youtube.com/live/fSjkR02NKpM

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Spinning Back Clique REPLAY: Everything UFC 300 – Pereira vs. Hill, BMF title fight, Harrison’s debut, more

On this week’s episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel discusses everything UFC 300.

Check out this week’s special edition of “Spinning Back Clique,” where we’ll be breaking down everything UFC 300.

This week’s panel will be composed of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Danny Segura, and host “Gorgeous” George Garcia – along with appearances from Matt Wells, Mike Bohn, Farah Hannoun, Dan Tom, and Nolan King.

For this Monday’s special episode, the panel discussed:

  • The pair of undisputed UFC championship fights headlining UFC 300. In the main event, [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] makes his first light heavyweight title defense against former champion  [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag], who returns from injury. In the co-main event, [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] takes on fellow Chinese fighter [autotag]Yan Xiaonan[/autotag] in a women’s strawweight bout.
  • The first-ever Baddest Motherf*cker title defense, as BMF champion [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] welcomes back [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] to the lightweight division. Other key lightweight bouts go down, including [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag], [autotag]Jalin Turner[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Renato Moicano[/autotag], [autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag].
  • Highly-touted undefeated middleweight prospect [autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag]’s return to action. He takes on Cody Brundage in the opening bout of the pay-per-view main card. This will be Nickal’s third fight under the UFC banner.
  • Two-time PFL champion and two-time Judo Olympic gold medalist [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] makes her highly awaited UFC debut. She takes on former champion [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag] at bantamweight – a division Harrison will be debuting in. Harrison has previously fought at 155 and 145 pounds.
  • Former UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] has moved up to featherweight. Veteran contender [autotag]Calvin Kattar[/autotag] welcomes him to the division.
  • To cap off the show, the panel will do a quick promo breakdown to hype up the four remaining bouts of the UFC 300 card. This includes [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag], [autotag]Sodiq Yusuff[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag], [autotag]Jessica Andrade[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag], and [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Cody Garbrandt[/autotag].

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Video: What Brandon Moreno’s MMA hiatus means for UFC flyweight division

What to make of Brandon Moreno’s surprise announcement? We discuss on “Spinning Back Clique.”

On the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel discusses [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] announcing that he’s stepping away from MMA following his decision loss to Brandon Royval in February.

Moreno (21-8-2 MMA, 9-5-2 UFC), arguably the most popular name in the UFC’s flyweight division, is stepping away from the sport as he needs both a mental and physical break from fighting in the octagon. The former champ gave no timeline on a return, but he did promise he’ll eventually come back to fighting.

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Danny Segura, Nolan King, and host “Gorgeous” George Garcia discussed Moreno’s big news and how it impacts the UFC’s flyweight division.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and also don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube and in podcast form.

https://youtube.com/live/f9e84PpMjN0

Video: Review of Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev and UFC Saudi Arabia

What to make of the announced fights for UFC Saudi Arabia, including Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev? We discuss on “Spinning Back Clique.”

On the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel discusses the booking between [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] and [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag], along with a review of the UFC Saudi Arabia card.

Last week, UFC CEO Dana White announced many of the key matchups for the UFC’s debut event in Saudi Arabia, which is scheduled to take place June 22. These fight announcements included the main event pitting Whittaker (25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC) against Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC).

So what do we make about this middleweight booking and the rest of the main card?

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Danny Segura, Nolan King, host “Gorgeous” George Garcia reacted to the lineup.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and also don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube and in podcast form.

https://youtube.com/live/f9e84PpMjN0

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Video: Should Igor Severino get a second chance after UFC biting incident led to release?

What to make of Igor Severino’s comments on his biting incident at UFC on ESPN 54? We discuss on “Spinning Back Clique.”

On the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel discusses everything around the biting incident between [autotag]Igor Severino[/autotag] and [autotag]Andre Lima[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN 53.

After remaining largely silent in the aftermath of his UFC release for biting, Severino finally spoke at length. Previously, we had heard from UFC CEO Dana White, Lima’s post-fight reaction, and then the NAC’s response to the incident. Now, in an exclusive interview with MMA Junkie, Severino gave his side of the story.

So how do we feel about the situation now that the dust has seemingly settled? Is the 20-year-old Severino worthy of a second chance in the octagon sometime down the line?

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MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Danny Segura, Nolan King, host “Gorgeous” George Garcia, discussed Severino’s comments on the biting incident and what could the future look like for the Brazilian.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and also don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.