Spinning Back Clique: Charles Oliveira on a great run, but is the timing bad?

Welcome to “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. In this week’s episode, John Morgan, “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” unpack the fallout from UFC on ESPN+ 28, which ends up being the promotion’s last show for at least a little while

SHOW RUNDOWN:

• Charles Oliveira made it seven consecutive wins – all by stoppage – when he scored his biggest to date by submitting Kevin Lee in the third round of their UFC Brasilia headliner. Oliveira, 30, really seems to be coming into his own and is entering the territory of having to face the elite in the lightweight division. But timing is everything, and it’s crowded at the top. Breaking in likely will prove difficult. So what should his next move be? We weigh in.
• Demian Maia got TKO’d by Gilbert Burns in the first round of their co-headliner at UFC Brasilia and afterward said his next fight will be his last. We come up with a few names that make sense for the 42-year-old Maia’s potential retirement fight.
• It used to mean something to say someone was “UFC caliber,” but does that still hold true? After all, prior to postponing its next three events amid the coronavirus pandemic, the UFC sent a memo to managers asking them to check with their clients – currently on the roster or not – if they would be interested in filling in on those three cards. Doesn’t that water down the idea of being “UFC caliber”?
• The coronavirus is fundamentally changing the way we live while officials work to get it under control, and that includes us spending a lot of time at home now as “social distancing” is being mandated across the country. With that in mind, we’ve got some recommendations on what to watch on UFC Fight Pass (or through other means) to keep you busy.

For answers to all of those questions, watch Episode 20 of “Spinning Back Clique” above.